Darwin's Confession
From SkepticWiki
A legend concerning Charles Darwin's supposed death-bed conversion to Christianity has enjoyed wide use in anti-evolution argument.
[edit] Origins and Facts
According to legend, Charles Darwin had a death-bed conversion, in which he embraced Christianity and recanted his views on biological evolution. The story is originally attributed to a "Lady Hope", who may have visited Darwin near death. Allegedly, she was invited to return and witness to the patient, and later told of his conversion.
Darwin's biographer Dr. James Moore describes the Lady Hope as 'a skilled raconteur, able to summon up poignant scenes and conversations, and embroider them with sentimental spirituality'. Her story contains many patently false inaccuracies. Moreover, Darwin's family disputed the entire episode, including his wife Emma, a devout Christian who was deeply troubled by her husband's views.
[edit] Use in Argument
It should be noted that theories of science in general, and the theory of Natural Selection in particular, do not depend on anyone's opinion for proof. Thus, putting aside the factual reservations, the use of this legend in support of Creationist arguments constitutes an Argument from Authority fallacy. Even supposing that Darwin had indisputably recanted in a crowded square, it would not affect the truth or falsity of evolution in any way.
