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In our discussion on Thursday many pointed out the differences between the writing styles of Dennett and Darwin in their presentation of their ideas. I found Darwin to be dry and neutral in the presentation of his ideas with a sort of take it or leave it kind of attitude. However, Dennett strikes me as very passionate and opinionated - almost to a fault. It seems to be that some of his more contentious statements would be offensive to those who consider themselves as more religious. His statements exactly, "Anyone today who doubts that the variety of life on this planet was produced by a process of evolution is simply ignorant- inexcusably ignorant." Such adamant and assertive language is almost shocking after reading Darwin's more humble approach in Origin of Species.

Dennett also urges readers to see evolution as an algorithmic process. This confuses me- Isn't an algorithm a specific set of steps that lead to one and only one answer? If this is true then this is in opposition to the belief that evolution is a completely random process. I don't see how these could logically come together.