Back To Darwin: A Richer Account of Evolution

by John B. Cobb Jr. (Editor)

Overview

This book provides a distinctive, radical way beyond the quarrels between evolutionary science and Christian belief. Leading scientists, philosophers, and theologians critically discuss the metaphysical assumptions of neo-Darwinism and offer concrete ways of broadening mainstream evolutionary theory. Their open exchange, moderated by veteran process theologian John B. Cobb, presents a holistic case for evolution that both theists and nontheists can accept.

Contributors:

Francisco J. Ayala
Ian G. Barbour
Charles Birch
Philip Clayton
John B. Cobb Jr. 
John Greene
David Ray Griffin
A. Y. Gunter
John F. Haught
Lynn Margulis
Reg Morrison
Dorion Sagan
Jeffrey Schloss
Robert J. Valenza
Howard J. Van Till

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802848376
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	02/02/2008
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.96(d)

About the Author

John B. Cobb Jr. is professor emeritus at the Claremont School of Theology and founding codirector of the Center for Process Studies. Among his many books are A Christian Natural Theology and (with Charles Birch) The Liberation of Life.

Table of Contents

Preface     viii
Acknowledgments     xi
List of Contributors     xii
Introduction     1
Background Materials
Editor's Preface     21
Balfour versus Huxley on Evolutionary Naturalism: A Twenty-First-Century Perspective   John Green     27
From Paley to Darwin: Design to Natural Selection   Francisco J. Ayala     50
Reduction, Emergence, Naturalism, Dualism, Teleology: A Precis   Francisco J. Ayala     76
Egg-to-Adult, Brain-to-Mind, and Ape-to-Human Tranformations   Francisco J. Ayala     88
Neo-Darwinism: Scientific Account and Theological Attributions   Jeffrey Schloss     99
To Broaden and Diversify Evolutionary Theory
Editor's Preface     121
Six Scientific Alternatives to Neo-Darwinism   A. Y. Gunter     128
Evolution, Complexity, and Energy Flow   Dorion Sagan     145
Hydrogen: Humanity's Maker and Breaker   Reg Morrison     157
Gaia and Machines   Lynn Margulis     167
The Role of Symbiogenesis in Evolution   Lynn Margulis   Dorion Sagan     176
Punctuated Equilibrium and Species Selection   Francisco J. Ayala     185
The BaldwinEffect   Francisco J. Ayala     193
Evolution and Process Thought   Ian G. Barbour     196
Organisms as Agents in Evolution   John B. Cobb, Jr.     215
The Philosophical Challenge to Neo-Darwinism
Editor's Preface     245
Why Aren't We Zombies? Neo-Darwinism and Process Thought   Charles Birch     250
Introduction to "The Metaphysics of Consciousness and Evolution"   Robert J. Valenza     263
Neo-Darwinism and Its Religious Implications   David Ray Griffin     268
Process and Emergence   Philip Clayton     288
Evolution and God
Editor's Preface     311
Darwinism, Design, and Cosmic Purpose   John F. Haught     319
Divine Providence and the Question of Evolutionary Directionality   Jeffrey P. Schloss     330
From Calvinism to Claremont: Now That's Evolution! Or, From Calvin's Supernaturalism to Griffin's Theistic Naturalism   Howard J. Van Till     351
Whitehead's Naturalism and a Non-Darwinian View of Evolution   David Ray Griffin     364
What God Does   John B. Cobb, Jr.     391
The Metaphysics of Consciousness and Evolution   Robert J. Valenza     412

Editorial Reviews

Keith Ward
— University of Oxford
"An original and invaluable contribution to the debate on evolution and design, balancing process insights with state-of-the-art scientific contributions."

Niels Henrik Gregersen
— University of Copenhagen
"This is both a primer in current philosophy of evolutionary biology and a new proposal for integrating evolution and religious thinking. Cobb and company listen to the best representatives of neo-Darwinism and analyze the rich tapestry of supplementary theories before they argue for the creative role of biological agency in evolution. A genuinely exciting volume!"

Christian Century
“Offers a solid introduction to both modern evolutionary thought and process theology. . . . Back to Darwin has begun a worthwhile and important project that should be continued and expanded.”
 
Perspectives on Science & Christian Faith
“Back to Darwin is recommended.”
 
Reports of the National Center for Science Education
“This volume will be of interest to anyone concerned to explore alternatives to the science-religion debate. . . . [It] deserves a wide readership.”
 

From the Publisher