The Cambridge Companion to Science and Religion

by Peter Harrison

Overview

In recent years, the relations between science and religion have been the object of renewed attention. Developments in physics, biology and the neurosciences have reinvigorated discussions about the nature of life and ultimate reality. At the same time, the growth of anti-evolutionary and intelligent design movements has led many to the view that science and religion are necessarily in conflict. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the relations between science and religion, with contributions from historians, philosophers, scientists and theologians. It explores the impact of religion on the origins and development of science, religious reactions to Darwinism, and the link between science and secularization. It also offers in-depth discussions of contemporary issues, with perspectives from cosmology, evolutionary biology, psychology, and bioethics. The volume is rounded out with philosophical reflections on the connections between atheism and science, the nature of scientific and religious knowledge, and divine action and human freedom.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521712514
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/24/2010
Series:	Cambridge Companions to Religion
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	324
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Peter Harrison is Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, and Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre, University of Oxford. He is the author of The Bible, Protestantism and the Rise of Natural Science (Cambridge, 1998), and The Fall of Man and the Foundation of Science (Cambridge, 2007).

Table of Contents

Introduction Peter Harrison; Part I. Historical Interactions: 1. The fate of science in patristic and medieval Christendom David C. Lindberg; 2. Religion and the Scientific Revolution John Henry; 3. Natural theology and the sciences Jon Topham; 4. Religious reactions to Darwin Jon Roberts; 5. Science and secularization John Hedley Brooke; Part II. Religion and Contemporary Science: 6. Scientific creationism and intelligent design Ronald L. Numbers; 7. Evolution and the inevitability of intelligent life Simon Conway Morris; 8. God, physics and the Big Bang William R. Stoeger; 9. Psychology and theology Fraser Watts; 10. Science, bioethics and religion John H. Evans; Part III. Philosophical Perspectives: 11. Atheism, naturalism and science: three in one? Michael Ruse; 12. Divine action, emergence and scientific explanation Nancey Murphy; 13. Science, God and cosmic purpose John Haught; 14. Ways of relating science and religion Mikael Stenmark; A guide to further reading; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'There aren't any equations or diagrams. It's not your standard easy-going popular science. But I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who wants to step back and take a look at the broader picture.' Tim Middleton

'Both challenging to graduates and accessible to the layman.' Religion

From the Publisher