Aquinas and Modern Science: A New Synthesis of Faith and Reason

Aquinas and Modern Science: A New Synthesis of Faith and Reason

Aquinas and Modern Science: A New Synthesis of Faith and Reason

Aquinas and Modern Science: A New Synthesis of Faith and Reason

Paperback

$18.95
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
    Choose Expedited Shipping at checkout for delivery by Thursday, June 15
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Sorry! Store Pickup is currently unavailable.


Overview

The mission of Aquinas and Modern Science: A New Synthesis of Faith and Reason is precisely to invite you on a tour through the richness of Thomas's philosophy in its encounter with the sciences as we know them today. Let his time-tested principles continue to serve as an anchor of intelligibility in a sea of confusing claims.


Related collections and offers

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781621382287
Publisher: Angelico Press
Publication date: 11/29/2016
Pages: 250
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.57(d)

About the Author

Gerard M. Verschuuren is a human geneticist who also earned a doctorate in the philosophy of science. He has studied and worked at universities in Europe and the United States. Currently semiretired, he spends most of his time as a writer, speaker, and consultant at the interface of science and religion, faith and reason.

Table of Contents

C O N T E N T S
Foreword • 1
Preface • 3
1. Aquinas and His Time • 7
2. Aquinas and Metaphysics • 15
The Need for Metaphysics • 15
Faith and Reason • 21
3. Aquinas and Nature's Principles • 31
Esse, Essence, Existence, and Substance • 32
Matter and Form • 36
Fivefold Causality • 40
Primary and Secondary Cause • 45
4. Aquinas and Epistemology • 55
Epistemology in Crisis • 55
Epistemology Restored • 60
A Foundation for Science • 70
5. Aquinas and the Sciences • 79
Aquinas the Scientist • 79
The Power of Reason • 84
6. Aquinas and Cosmology • 91
A Beginning of the Universe? • 91
Before the Big Bang? • 99
A Universe Without "Gaps" • 103
7. Aquinas and Physics • 107
Classical Physics • 107
Quantum Physics • 116
8. Aquinas and Genetics • 127
DNA's Causa Materialis • 127
DNA's Causa Efficiens • 131
DNA's Causa Formalis • 133
DNA's Causa Finalis • 139
DNA's Causa Exemplaris • 142
9. Aquinas and Evolutionary Biology • 147
The Causality of Evolution • 148
Causa Efficiens of Evolution • 148
Causa Materialis of Evolution • 152
Causa Finalis of Evolution • 156
Causa Formalis of Evolution • 159
Causa Exemplaris of Evolution • 164
Intelligent Design? • 165
The Path of Evolution • 172
10. Aquinas and Neuroscience • 179
The Mental Is Not the Neural • 180
What Then Is the Mental If Not the Neural? • 186
Can the Soul Exist Without the Body? • 199
11. Aquinas and Social Sciences • 203
Sociology • 206
Economics • 211
Political Sciences • 219
12. Conclusion
Index • 235

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Gerard Verschuuren illustrates the perennial value of Aquinas in the quest for an understanding of the nature of scientific explanation. He offers a clear exposition of the first principles of thought and being, as identified and defended in the work of Aquinas."--JUDE P. DOUGHERTY, Dean Emeritus of the Department of Philosophy, Catholic University of America

"Verschuuren has written an informative, thought-provoking, witty, and irresistibly readable brief for the continuing relevance of Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophy to modern science. He is at home in both worlds, and can explain them clearly to those who are not."--STEPHEN M. BARR, Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Director of the Bartol Research Institute, Researcher in theoretical particle physics, University of Delaware

"I am impressed by the author's knowledge of science and insights into its perfect compatibility with Thomas's commonsense principles, as well as his ability to translate the technical abstractions of both philosophy and science into the language and thought processes of intelligent laymen."--PETER KREEFT, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College

"Gerard Verschuuren here provides a thoughtful account of how the philosophical vision of Aquinas can help us better see the unity of reality, while also appreciating the wide range of scientific disciplines that study reality in its diversity."--JOSEPH W. KOTERSKI, S.J., Associate Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University

"This book is a comprehensive introduction--for students and laypersons alike--to the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, as well as a treasure trove of insightful integrations with contemporary scientific thinking. Even more importantly, the author provides a clear example of what any current Thomist should be trying to do--talk to one's contemporaries."--JOHN F.X. KNASAS, Professor of Philosophy, Center for Thomistic Studies, University of St. Thomas

Customer Reviews