Stephen Jay Gould On the Origin of Specious
- Slides: 8
Stephen Jay Gould On the Origin of Specious Critics
About Gould n n n Doctorate in 1967 in paleontology at Columbia University Teamed with biologist Biles Eldredge and announced their evolutionary idea in 1972 —argued evolution moves in abrupt fits and sits with long periods of no changes in species Taught geology and biology at Harvard Diagnosed with an incurable cancer in July 1982 1998 – visited Stanford University Died May 20, 2002 from cancer
Genre & Rhetoric Critique of Rifkin’s Algeny book n Published in Discover magazine n Rhetorical analysis & refutation of Rifkin’s work n
Audience Readers interested in new technologies concerning our species—medicine and related n Educated – should understand the English language well enough to understand Gould’s critique n Those favoring bioengineering n
Argument n n Question: What are the consequences of altering life’s fundamental geometry and permitting one species to design new creatures at will, combining bits and pieces of lineages distinct for billions of years? Critique: “I regard Algeny as a cleverly constructed tract of antiintellectual propaganda masquerading as scholarship. ”
Structure n n n Clear point of view and outline for essay Provides overview of Algeny Critique of Algeny presented on five fronts l l l Does not understand Darwinism Little comprehension of what science is or how scientists work Unfair argument Ignores fair scholarship Full of ludicrous, simple errors
Style n n n Harsh and straightforward Attempts to educate the reader (definitions) References Rifkin’s points, then refutes or shows why they are inappropriate Sentences varied Addresses Rifkin by first name; reads sometimes as though Gould is speaking to Rifkin directly
Questions n n n How effective is Gould’s critique given his directness? Does it come off as too strong, or is it appropriate? Is Gould fair in his treatment of Rifkin’s remarks? Comparing Rifkin with Gould, it would appear Gould has more expertise on this topic. Does this make his critique more convincing or credible? What effect does referencing Rifkin directly have on the essay?