A. E. Wilder-Smith

Arthur Ernest Wilder-Smith (1915 - 1995), more commonly known as A. E. Wilder-Smith, was a Young Earth creationist and a chemist.

Biography

Wilder-Smith is author and co-author of over 70 scientific publications and more than 30 books which have been translated into many different languages.Fact|date=July 2008 Smith studied Natural Sciences at Oxford, England, received a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry at University of Reading, England in 1941, a Dr.es.Sc. in pharmacological sciences from Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Zürich, and a D.Sc. in pharmacological sciences from University of Geneva in 1964. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. [http://www.wildersmith.org/curriculum.htm] Verify credibility|date=July 2008

He and creationist physicist Edgar Andrews (President of the Biblical Creation Society) debated biologists Richard Dawkins and John Maynard Smith in the Oxford Union's Huxley Memorial Debate in 1986. The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science has made the audio of the debate available. [ [http://richarddawkins.net/article,721,1986-Oxford-Union-Debate,Richard-Dawkins-John-Maynard-Smith Oxford Union Debate] from Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science]

In 1965 he visited and promoted the false claims that dinosaur and human footprints existed at Paluxy River in Dinosaur Valley State Park. These supposed tracks were later discovered to have been forged by creationists who tried to claim humans and dinosaurs lived together. [cite news | url=http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/paluxy/tooth.html | title=A Tale of Two Teeth |publisher=talk.origins | date=1995 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2008-04-06]

According to the National Center for Science Education, Wilder-Smith's work "The Natural Sciences Know Nothing of Evolution" contains a variety of falsehoods and errors. [cite news | url=http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/6032_analysis_of_the_melvindale_sci_10_30_1998.asp | title=Analysis of the Melvindale Science Curriculum Sub-Committee Book Recommendations |publisher=National Center for Science Education | date=October 30, 1998 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2008-04-06] Kenneth Christiansen, Professor of Biology at Grinnell College, reviewed the book stating "the most fundamental flaw of the book is an apparent confusion or ignorance (it is hard to tell) concerning our present understanding of the evolutionary process." [Kenneth Christiansen, "The Natural Sciences Know Nothing of Evolution" Review" in "Reviews of Creationist Books" ed Liz Rank Hughes, National Center for Science Education, 1992. page 134 ISBN 0939873524] He further noted that Wilder-Smith's work disregarded basic literature in the field discussed. [Kenneth Christiansen, "The Natural Sciences Know Nothing of Evolution" Review" in "Reviews of Creationist Books" ed Liz Rank Hughes, National Center for Science Education, 1992. page 134 ISBN 0939873524]

In 2005 William A. Dembski, of intelligent design fame, wrote that Wilder-Smith's "intuitive ideas about information has been the impetus for much of my research." [ [http://www.designinference.com/documents/2005.02.Reply_to_Henry_Morris.htm Intelligent Design's contribution to the debate over evolution: a reply to Henry Morris] , William A. Dembski, 1 February 2005. Retrieved 16 May 2008.]

Bibliography

* "Is This a God of Love?". (Word for Today, December 1991) ISBN 0936728396
* "Man's Origin/Man's Destiny". (Bethany House Pub, June 1975) ISBN 0871233568
* "He Who Thinks Has To Believe" (The Word For Today, 1981)
* "Scientific Alternative to Neo-Darwinian Evolutionary Theory". (The Word For Today, 1987)
* "The Creation of Life: Cybernetic approach to evolution" (H. Shaw; [1st ed.] edition, 1970) (Master Books/Institute for Creation Research, 1981) ISBN 0890510709
* "The Natural Sciences Know Nothing of Evolution". Master Books/Institute for Creation Research, 1981. ISBN 0890510628
* "The Time Dimension". (Word for Today, October 1993) ISBN 0936728450
* "Why Does God Allow It?" (Victory Press, 1960) (Master Books/Institute for Creation Research, 1980) ISBN 0890510601

References

External links

* [http://www.wildersmith.org A.E. Wilder-Smith website]