Michael Flannery

Fellow, Center for Science and Culture

Archives

Kenneth Miller’s Darwinian Theism: Trying, and Failing, to Square a Circle

Michael Flannery
July 23, 2018
On this episode of ID the Future, Pr. Emeritus Michael Flannery (U of Alabama-Birmingham) continues his discussion of evolutionist Kenneth Miller’s recent book The Human Instinct: How We Evolved to Have Reason, Consciousness, and Free Will. Flannery suggests that Miller’s “theistic evolution” is more precisely Darwinian theism — and that such a marriage is as ultimately hopeless as squaring the proverbial circle.

A Critique of Evolutionist Kenneth Miller’s New Book The Human Instinct

Michael Flannery
July 16, 2018
On this episode of ID the Future, host Mike Keas interviews Professor Emeritus Michael Flannery (U of Alabama-Birmingham) on evolutionist Kenneth Miller’s new book The Human Instinct: How We Evolved to Have Reason, Consciousness, and Free Will. Miller is prominent as a science educator and supporter of Neo-Darwinian theistic evolution. Flannery, a historian of science, argues that Miller’s attempt to defend human exceptionalism on Neo-Darwinian grounds runs into fatal difficulties, as have similar attempts before. Please consider donating to support the IDTF Podcast.

Now the Rest of the Story: Darwin, Wallace, Lyell, and an Overruling Intelligence

Michael Flannery
April 18, 2018
On this episode of ID the Future, Michael Flannery, historian of science and emeritus professor from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, discusses a little known dustup among Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, and the great geologist Charles Lyell. Wallace, the co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection, eventually concluded that an overruling intelligence must be involved in the history of life. Scandalized, Darwin wrote to Lyell seeking support for his purely materialistic account of evolution. Lyell’s response may surprise you.

Did Darwin Plagiarize the Theory of Evolution?

Michael Flannery
February 2, 2018
On this episode of ID the Future, hear from Michael Flannery, historian and expert on Alfred Russel Wallace, the co-founder of the theory of evolution. Dr. Flannery responds to claims of new-found evidence that Darwin and Wallace stole the theory of natural selection from Patrick Matthews, explaining why these claims have little credibility or historical foundation.

Just the Facts? Michael Flannery on Charles Darwin and Materialism

Michael Flannery
March 22, 2017
On this episode of ID the Future, Brian Miller interviews Michael Flannery on how Darwin’s background conditioned him to materialism, and how this influence impacted his development of the theory of evolution. Listen in to learn more about Darwin’s experiences at the University of Edinburgh with the Plinian Society, and his interaction with prominent atheists Aveling and Büchner near the end of his life.

Did Darwin Plagiarize the Theory of Evolution?

Michael Flannery
May 16, 2016
On this episode of ID the Future, hear from Michael Flannery, historian and expert on Alfred Russel Wallace, the co-founder of the theory of evolution. Dr. Flannery responds to claims of new-found evidence that Darwin and Wallace stole the theory of natural selection from Patrick Matthews, explaining why these claims have little credibility or historical foundation.

The Universe Next Door: The Life of Alfred Russel Wallace, pt. 2

Michael Flannery
December 18, 2014
On this episode of ID the Future, Michael Flannery is on The Universe Next Door with Tom Woodward, continuing their discussion on Alfred Russel Wallace, the lesser-known co-founder of the theory of evolution. Dr. Flannery is the author of Alfred Russel Wallace: The Rediscovered Life and an expert on Wallace’s life and scientific pursuits.

The Universe Next Door: The Life of Alfred Russel Wallace

Michael Flannery
December 16, 2014
On this episode of ID the Future, Michael Flannery is on The Universe Next Door with Tom Woodward to discuss Alfred Russel Wallace, the lesser-known co-founder of the theory of evolution. Dr. Flannery is the author of Alfred Russel Wallace: The Rediscovered Life and an expert on Wallace’s life and scientific pursuits. Listen in!

The Universe Next Door with Tom Woodward: Michael Flannery on Alfred Russel Wallace

Michael Flannery
May 2, 2014
On this episode of ID the Future, hear a talk between Professor Michael Flannery and Dr. Tom Woodward on the radio program The Universe Next Door on one of the most important, and often overlooked, figures in the history of evolutionary theory: Alfred Russel Wallace. In the late 19th century, the theory of evolution was usually referred to as ‘the Darwin and Wallace theory,’ but today, Wallace’s views are best seen as a precursor to the modern intelligent design theory. Listen in as Prof. Flannery tells Wallace’s story.