This list — interesting as it is — is decidedly Western focussed. I expect one would find major intellectual debates of long standing in Islamic, East Indian, and Chinese history as well. For example, the debates between Ibn Sina, al Ghazali and Ibn Rushd on the merit of philosophy. Or perhaps the ‘debates’ between Sunni and Shi’ite (since Luther and Paul were included in the list) might be considered too.

In fact, it seems that the need to debate is a very human trait. Sadly, too many have died in the pursuit of various positions. Dangerous business…And so we must remember Socrates.

All best wishes,

Gordon Rumson

“The controversy and Darwin’s theory initiated search for what became known as “transitional fossils,” a search that continues to this day.”

This annoyed me a bit because the wording gives the impression that the search has so far been fruitless, whereas in reality thousands of transitional fossils have, to date been, identified.

My other gripe is down to my being a spelling/grammar nazi. I quote:

“…a genetically engineered bacteria…”

You can either have a genetically engineered strain of bacteria, or a genetically engineered bacterium, but you can have a genetically engineered bacteria. I realise this is the kind of thing that will make people hate me on the internet, but I’m willing to take the backlash…

For those who are far advanced in scientific knowledge, these may seem overly simplified. But for myself, I find them interesting.

Ethel Stanton