Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

Adam and the Ape

Prof Sam Berry, University College, London

Report
by Mike Ashford

Professor Berry spoke as a professor of genetics and as a convinced Christian. He argued that it is inappropriate to oppose the concepts of ‘creation’ a theological term relating to the authorship of the Creator, and ‘evolution’ a term relating to current knowledge of how biological diversity came about.

By the time Darwin published The origin of species advances in geology had convinced most church leaders that the Earth was far older than had previously been thought and  that life forms had changed markedly over geological time.  Even the infamous debate between Bishop Wilberforce and Thomas Huxley was scarcely about evolution but involved each man’s personal agenda.  Darwin had tried to avoid bringing up the issue of human origins but realised it would have to be considered.  Prof Berry outlined how closely related man appears biologically to the great apes and can even be considered a neotenous ape.  The 20th century saw increased antagonism between fundamentalist religion and science but again this has often arisen from other issues such as eugenics, fascism, rampant capitalism and homosexuality.