Not by Design

In "Not by Design," author John Reiss explores the intriguing intersection of evolution and intelligent design, delving into the historical context of these concepts. Published by the University of California Press in 2011, this comprehensive paperback spans 440 pages and revisits William Paley's iconic metaphor of the universe as a watch crafted by a Creator. Reiss elucidates how, over 150 years after Darwin's seminal work, "On the Origin of Species," the argument for design has resurfaced in contemporary discourse. Through a thorough examination of evolutionary genetics and the contributions of figures like Cuvier, this book reveals how Darwin inadvertently left room for the revival of design arguments. "Not by Design" is an essential read for those interested in the ongoing debate surrounding natural selection and the implications of intelligent design in our understanding of life's complexities.