The Metaphysics of Evolution: Evolutionary Theory in Light of First Principles

Fr. Ripperger's argument from first principles drew me into deep reflection on his topic. That a thing cannot give what it doesn't have remains for me an unanswered objection to the theory of evolution. In at least one pseudo-science journal I have read a response to Fr. Ripperger's assertion that "the substantial form of a thing must be on a higher order so that greater complexity can be brought about at the level of matter. In evolution, further complexity in matter is asserted without accounting for higher substantial form [which] violates the principle of sufficient reason." However, I have no educated objection to following Fr. Ripperger to his conclusion. The author addresses the disconnect between the disciplines of science and philosophy, and his argument invites scientists to address the questions philosophy raises. What is remarkable about this little volume is the logical rigor that is missing in contemporary academic training. As a retired teacher, I can vouch for the black hole of emotion that draws the undisciplined mental energies of today's students. In its own small way this volume makes a compelling case for scientists to have at least an introduction to classical philosophy and a return to the traditional trivium, for the serious student, of logic, grammar, and rhetoric.

Just WOW! Simple yet rigorous logic outlining the Evolution vs logical First Principles. The book doesn't presume you have a familiarity with Metaphysics and its First Principles for logical reasoning. The author consistently starts with a metaphysical principle. Then he explains that principle so you understand its implications and why its important as a principle of reason. Then he applies it to the topic of Evolution. It is just extremely well done! Not a "quick read" because of the amount of thinking you will do for such a short book. But definitely worth the money!

Not yet read, but I am looking so forward to it. Fr Ripperger has a way of imparting the most difficult philosophical concepts with ease of understanding to even the dullest of brains, like mine! Nothing I've read from him is ever a disappointment. I can't wait for Sunday to curl up in my comfy chair and delve into the depths of this gem!

Very badly written, endlessly and verbatim repetitive, unedited, and entirely reliant on a very specific interpretation of Scholastic Aristotelianism, this book reads like a bad - almost machine - translation* or mockery of actual Scholastic thought, but nevertheless raises some interesting questions.I think that at times (oftentimes) the author is either uncomprehending of the best evolutionist thought or is deliberately arguing against strawmen - or that scholastic Aristotelianism is incapable of addressing the question, whether due to insufficiency in it, in evolutionist theory, or in the pretty much infinite divergence between the two in every way - formal, final, material, efficient, and axiomatic!*I recently read a Mao's red book, a notoriously bad translation in to English, and it read more naturally than this. The stiltedness is not just an artifact of scholasticism, as I am familiar with the ST, ScG, Commentary on the Sentences, Vos' Dogmatics, Bellarmine, Turretin, Chemnitz, etc. and would level the same charge against none of those works or authors in any translation I have read.

Using traditional Thomistic philosophy Fr Ripperger demonstrates why evolution is illogical. This is true philosophy, the science, and not the modern nonsense which comes from Ockham, Descartes, Hume and the like.

Make yourself a favor, and read this book

The ID folks destroy the scientific pretensions of the evolutionary demagogic harangues, but this is the book that answers the unmentionable objections to their philosophical pretensions.

Brilliant and important work...but challenging!

I love how this little book easily refute the lies surrounding the made up false idea of evolution. It's a must read for everyone especually those who seek truth, respect science.

As good as all of his writings. I wish he wrote regularily in some publication. I thoroughly enjoy his writing.