Science & Religion: A Critical Survey

By Holmes Rolston III

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1599470993
• ISBN13: 9781599470993
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Templeton Press
• Length: 408 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Re-publication of the original 1987 edition

This is a re-publication of the original 1987 edition of the same title, with a new 35-page introduction. The introduction focuses on the rising importance of information in the past twenty years and on the uniqueness of humans. Chapter 1 (Methods in Scientific and Religious Inquiry) focuses on the thesis that "in generic logical form science and religion, when done well, are more alike than is often supposed, especially at their cores . . . Science operates with the presumption that there are causes to things, religion with the presumption that there are meanings to things." Chapter 2 (Matter: Religion and the Physical Sciences) is a survey of explanations, from Aristotle's four causes to Newtonian mechanics to quantum mechanics and indeterminacy to relativity. Chapter 3 (Life: Religion and the Biological Sciences) draws an analogy between the creaturely suffering of evolution and the suffering of Christ, both of which were for the greater good. Chapter 4 (Mind: Religion and the Psychological Sciences) describes and critiques four schools of thought: Freudian pyschoanalysis, behaviorist psychology, humanistic psychology and cognitive psychology. Chapter 5 (Culture: Religion and the Social Sciences) focuses on various socialogical predictions of the end of religion and why each has gone wrong. Chapter 6 (Nature and History) discusses and distinguishes between "hard naturalism" and "soft naturalism." Chapter 7 (Nature, History and God) describes and discusses three options within theism for overarching or accommodating the place of the natural: scientific-existential theism, process theism, and transscientific theism. Rolston also discusses what room the sciences leave for religion. Rolston has accomplished a balanced survey of a very wide range of sciences and the room for religious belief after science in each area. Rolston's book is not an easy read. It assumes a broad knowledge of philosophy, theology and the sciences. Philosophical terms and names are mentioned without definition or identification, so it is best suited for readers who already have some familiarity with the field of science and religion. (NOTE: this review was originally written for the journal "Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith," Volume 59, Number 2 (June 2007) and is used here with permission.)

A thorough overview of the topic of science and religion.

Holmes Rolston provides a thorough overview of the vast topic of science and religion. The book is especially good at summarizing difficult issues for non-specialists and includes the social sciences as well as the natural sciences. A revised edition should be published.