Science and Religion

A Critical Survey

By Holmes Rolston

Templeton Press

This landmark book, first published in 1987, is now back in print, with a new introduction by its award-winning author. An interdisciplinary approach to the central themes of scientific and religious thought, this book was widely heralded upon its publication for the richness and depth of its contribution to the science and religion dialogue.

“notable for its breadth and depth . . . filled with admirably argued and powerfully presented treatments of critical issues.”—Joseph Pickle, Colorado College, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science

“a superb and subtle book.”—David Foxgrover, Christian Century

“a monumental work . . . [T]he book is truly outstanding.”—John H. Wright, Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, Theological Studies

“Rolston’s presentation of the methods of science, along with up-to-date summaries of the main achievements of the various sciences, is commendable for its clarity and critical acumen.”—Choice

According to Holmes Rolston III, there are fundamental questions that science alone cannot answer; these questions are the central religious questions. He uses the scientific method of inquiry to distill key issues from science, and then he integrates them in a study that begins with matter and moves through life, mind, culture, history, and spirit. Incorporating religious and scientific worldviews, he begins with an examination of two natural sciences: physics and biology. He then extrapolates examples from two human sciences: psychology and sociology. Next, he moves to the storied universe and world history, raising and addressing religious questions. “Never in the histories of science and religion have the

opportunities been greater for fertile interaction between these fields, with mutual benefits to both,” states Rolston. The re-publication of this book provides current researchers and students in the field an invaluable, timeless methodological resource.The new introduction offers updated insights based on new scientific research.

Author
Contents

Holmes Rolston III is a world-renowned philosopher, widely recognized as the father of environmental ethics as a modern academic discipline. The winner of the Templeton Prize in 2003 and the Mendel Medal in 2005, he currently holds the position of University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Colorado State University. Rolston is associate editor of the journal Environmental Ethics and serves on the editorial boards of a number of other journals. He is the author of six books that have won acclaim in both academic journals and the mainstream press.

Preface / vii

Introduction to the 2006 Edition. Human Uniqueness and Human Responsibility: Science and Religion in a New Millennium / xi

An Open Future / xii
Matter, Energy, Information / xiv
Genetics: Past, Present, and Future / xviii
Human Uniqueness: Brain, Mind, Culture / xxiv
Mind Knowing Nature: Realism and Social Construction / xxxi
Science and Conscience / xxxv
Historical and Cruciform Nature: Life Persisting in Perishing / xxxix

Chapter 1. Methods in Scientific and Religious Inquiry / 1

Theories, Creeds, and Experience / 1
Models, Patterns, Paradigms / 8
Objectivity and Involvement / 16
Scientific and Religious Logic / 22

Chapter 2. Matter: Religion and the Physical Sciences / 33

Newtonian Mechanism / 34
Quantum Mechanics and Indeterminacy / 41
Relativity and Matter-Energy / 54
Microphysical and Astrophysical Nature / 65

Chapter 3. Life: Religion and the Biological Sciences / 81

Biochemistry and the Secret of Life / 82
Evolution and the Secret of Life / 90
The Cybernetics of Life / 124
The Life Struggle / 133

Chapter 4. Mind: Religion and the Psychological Sciences / 151

The Possibility of a Human Science / 151
Religion and Freudian Psychoanalysis / 159
Religion and Behavioral Science 170
Religion and Humanistic Psychologies / 183

Chapter 5. Culture: Religion and the Social Sciences / 198

Society and the Individual: Models, Laws, Causes / 200
Interpretive Social Science / 210
Religion as a Social Projection / 219
Values in Social Science / 226

Chapter 6. Nature and History / 238

Nature after Science / 238
Hard Naturalism / 247
Soft Naturalism / 253
Eastern Perspectives / 258
The Dimension of History / 269
Suffering / 286

Chapter 7. Nature, History, and God / 297

Nature and Supernature / 298
Scientific-Existentialist Theism / 306
Process Theism / 315
Transscientific Theism / 322
Insight in Science and Religion: Doing the Truth / 335

Index / 349

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