Overview

The science-religion debate is a hot topic in academic circles and contemporary culture, and evolution makes the subject particularly contentious. Does modern science tip the scales toward atheism? Or does religion have resources to support its credibility and relevance? And how does evolution influence both worldviews?Comprehensive, balanced, and engaging, Science, Evolution, and Religion provides a dynamic yet respectful introduction to the science-religion debate, framed as a conflict between theism and atheism and structured around the impact of evolution on both perspectives. Philosophers Michael Peterson and Michael Ruse argue for theism and atheism, respectively. Peterson occasionally draws from Christian doctrine to supplement theism; Ruse often supports his atheism with elements drawn from the larger context of philosophical naturalism. The result is a rich dialogue on the nature and history of science, cosmic origins, biological origins, the anthropic principle, the foundations of morality, human uniqueness, the meaning of life, and other important topics in this area.

Full Product Details

Author:   Michael Peterson ,  Michael Ruse
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 14.10cm , Height: 1.40cm , Length: 21.10cm
Weight:   0.328kg
ISBN:  

9780199379378

ISBN 10:   0199379378
Pages:   288
Publication Date:   15 August 2016
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

Preface: Introduction: 1. Autobiographical Reflections A Life Observed PETERSON Formative Experiences Witnessing God Make a Comeback Considering Intellectual Journeys to God Engaging Science and Religion Apologia Pro Vita Sua RUSE Early Years Loss of Faith and Finding Darwin Creationism Accommodationism 2. Science Thinking about Science RUSE What Is Science? Metaphor What Is Naturalism? The Limits of Metaphor The Harmony of Science and Religion PETERSON Where the Conflict Really Lies Does the Method of Science Support Naturalism? Do the Laws of Science Exclude Miracles? Theism as the Worldview Home of Science 3. Cosmic Origins A Theistic Understanding of the Universe PETERSON The Beginning According to Science A Metaphysical Explanation of the Cosmos A Deeper Metaphysical Understanding of the Cosmos The Fine-Tuned Universe Naturalist Objections Beauty, Elegance, Intelligibility In the Beginning RUSE The Big Bang Theory Religious Implications? The Fundamental Question Why Skepticism? One God or Two? 4. Origin of Life It's All Purely Natural RUSE Defining Life A Natural Solution? Impossible! Miracles? Where Do We Stand? There is Grandeur in This View of Life PETERSON The Biological and the Prebiological Origin-of-Life Research The Mystery of Life God or Natural Process? Theistic and Christian Belief 5. Darwin and Design A Wider Teleology PETERSON Darwin's Discovery Natural Selection and Design Understanding Evolution Darwin's Gift Teleology and Natural Theology Darwin Destroys Design RUSE The Darwinian Theory of Evolution The Problem of Final Causes Does Darwinian Selection Refute Christianity? So, What's the Answer? 6. Evolutionary Directionality No Direction to Evolution RUSE Bottom-Line Demands Does Evolution Go Anywhere? Causes Christian Escapes? Is God Too Complex? The Trajectory of Evolution PETERSON How Did We Get Here From There? Scientific and Metascientific Questions God and the World of Science Creation, Providence, and Evolution Emergence 7. Mind and Rationality The Preeminence of Mind PETERSON Consciousness and Self-Consciousness Neuroscience and the Metaphysics of Mind Evolution and Human Uniqueness Rationality and Evolution Humans According to Evolutionary Naturalism RUSE Sentience Knowledge Naturalism Defeated? A Sensus Divinitatis? 8. Morality An Evolutionary Perspective on Ethics RUSE The Moral Argument for God's Existence Explaining Morality Darwinism and Morality Implications for the Science-Religion Interface Christianity on Morality: Beyond Rescue? Morality and Personhood PETERSON A Darwinian Genealogy of Morals A Moral Argument against Evolutionary Naturalism Theism and Personal Dignity A Theistic Genealogy of Morals 9. Evil and Suffering Theism, Atheism, and Evil PETERSON The Argument from Evil and Suffering Science and Approaches to Theodicy Theodicy for a Scientific Age Evil and the Clash of Worldviews Darwinism and Evil RUSE Does Darwinism Intensify the Problem? Original Sin Free Will Natural Evil 10. Meaning and Purpose A Stark Picture Indeed RUSE Where Are We? Why Do We Believe? Evolutionary Debunking? Evolutionism as Religion Substitute The Deep Structure of the Universe PETERSON Science, Evolution, and the Search for Meaning Naturalism and the Denial of Meaning Theism and Meaning Follow the Argument Wherever It Leads Glossary: References: Index:

Reviews

The book provides a comprehensive and insightful discussion of what's really at stake in the science and religion discussion by two eminent philosophers who, speaking on behalf of their own opposing worldviews, see the larger picture with remarkable clarity. - Kirk Wegter-McNelly, Union College

Author Information

Michael Peterson is Professor of Philosophy at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author or editor of several books, including Philosophy of Religion, Fifth Edition (OUP, 2014), and Reason and Religious Belief, Fifth Edition (OUP 2012). He is also managing editor of the journal Faith and Philosophy and winner of Templeton grants in science/religion. Michael Ruse is Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor and Director of the Program in History and Philosophy of Science at Florida State University. He is the author of Atheism: What Everyone Needs to Know (OUP, 2015) and is well-known for his work on the relationship between science and religion. He is also founding editor of the journal Biology and Philosophy.

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