Science, Evolution, and Religion: A Debate about Atheism and Theism

by Michael Peterson, Michael Ruse

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199379378
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/01/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

, Preface, Introduction1. Autobiographical ReflectionsA Life ObservedPETERSONFormative ExperiencesWitnessing God Make a ComebackConsidering Intellectual Journeys to GodEngaging Science and ReligionApologia Pro Vita SuaRUSEEarly YearsLoss of Faith and Finding DarwinCreationismAccommodationism2. ScienceThinking about ScienceRUSEWhat Is Science? MetaphorWhat Is Naturalism? The Limits of MetaphorThe Harmony of Science and ReligionPETERSONWhere the Conflict Really LiesDoes the Method of Science Support Naturalism? Do the Laws of Science Exclude Miracles? Theism as the Worldview Home of Science3. Cosmic OriginsA Theistic Understanding of the UniversePETERSONThe Beginning According to ScienceA Metaphysical Explanation of the CosmosA Deeper Metaphysical Understanding of the CosmosThe Fine-Tuned UniverseNaturalist ObjectionsBeauty, Elegance, IntelligibilityIn the BeginningRUSEThe Big Bang TheoryReligious Implications? The Fundamental QuestionWhy Skepticism? One God or Two?4. Origin of LifeIt's All Purely NaturalRUSEDefining LifeA Natural Solution? Impossible! Miracles? Where Do We Stand?There is Grandeur in This View of LifePETERSONThe Biological and the PrebiologicalOrigin-of-Life ResearchThe Mystery of LifeGod or Natural Process? Theistic and Christian Belief5. Darwin and DesignA Wider TeleologyPETERSONDarwin's DiscoveryNatural Selection and DesignUnderstanding EvolutionDarwin's GiftTeleology and Natural TheologyDarwin Destroys DesignRUSEThe Darwinian Theory of EvolutionThe Problem of Final CausesDoes Darwinian Selection Refute Christianity? So, What's the Answer?6. Evolutionary DirectionalityNo Direction to EvolutionRUSEBottom-Line DemandsDoes Evolution Go Anywhere? CausesChristian Escapes? Is God Too Complex?The Trajectory of EvolutionPETERSONHow Did We Get Here From There? Scientific and Metascientific QuestionsGod and the World of ScienceCreation, Providence, and EvolutionEmergence7. Mind and RationalityThe Preeminence of MindPETERSONConsciousness and Self-ConsciousnessNeuroscience and the Metaphysics of MindEvolution and Human UniquenessRationality and EvolutionHumans According to Evolutionary NaturalismRUSESentienceKnowledgeNaturalism Defeated? A Sensus Divinitatis?8. MoralityAn Evolutionary Perspective on EthicsRUSEThe Moral Argument for God's ExistenceExplaining MoralityDarwinism and MoralityImplications for the Science-Religion InterfaceChristianity on Morality: Beyond Rescue?Morality and PersonhoodPETERSONA Darwinian Genealogy of MoralsA Moral Argument against Evolutionary NaturalismTheism and Personal DignityA Theistic Genealogy of Morals9. Evil and SufferingTheism, Atheism, and EvilPETERSONThe Argument from Evil and SufferingScience and Approaches to TheodicyTheodicy for a Scientific AgeEvil and the Clash of WorldviewsDarwinism and EvilRUSEDoes Darwinism Intensify the Problem? Original SinFree WillNatural Evil10. Meaning and PurposeA Stark Picture IndeedRUSEWhere Are We? Why Do We Believe? Evolutionary Debunking? Evolutionism as Religion SubstituteThe Deep Structure of the UniversePETERSONScience, Evolution, and the Search for MeaningNaturalism and the Denial of MeaningTheism and MeaningFollow the Argument Wherever It Leads, Glossary, References, Index

Editorial Reviews

"This book is a success. Unless already an expert in the science-religion field... any reader is bound to learn much of value in here." —Michael J. Reiss, Institute of Education, University College London

"Science, Evolution, and Religion 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

From the Publisher