Preface	9
	The Importance of Science	9
	Acknowledgements	12
	Contents	13
	Figure Credits	15
	Introduction: The Aims of This Book	17
	1 Two Ways of Explaining the World	20
	Supernaturalism and Naturalism	21
	The Incompatibility of Religion and Science	22
	Further Reading	24
	2 How Science Works	25
	Nullius in verba	25
	Occams Razor	27
	Religious Belief amongst Leading Scientists	29
	Uncertainty	35
	The Importance of Defining Terms	37
	Facts, Theories and Hypotheses	37
	Science and Religion Compared	39
	The Naturalistic Origins of Moral Values	41
	Further Reading	44
	3 Darwins Theory of Evolution	45
	Biodiversity	45
	Adaptation	48
	Possible Explanations for Biodiversity and Adaptation	50
	The Early Life of Charles Darwin	51
	Evolution by Natural Selection	54
	Direct Observation of Natural Selection in Finches	57
	Historical Context of the Idea of Natural Selection	59
	Common Misconceptions About Natural Selection	61
	Genetic Drift	62
	Further Reading	63
	4 The Evidence for Evolution	65
	Similarities at the Molecular Level	67
	The Unity of Biochemistry	67
	The Principles of Molecular Biology	68
	The Tree of Life	75
	Lateral Gene Transfer	79
	The Origin of Eukaryotes	81
	Similarities at the Anatomical Level	84
	Direct Observation	85
	Transitional Fossils	87
	Logical Inference	91
	Hierarchical Classification	93
	Biogeography	94
	Vestigial Structures	97
	Further Reading	100
	5 The Evolution of Eyes	101
	One of Darwins Difficulties	101
	Light-Detection Structures	104
	Plausible Evolutionary Possibilities	107
	Genetic Control of Eye Formation	109
	Further Reading	111
	Concluding Remarks	112
	Further Reading	113
	Definitions	113
	Suggestions For Discussion Topics	116