Science and Religion : A New Introduction

by McGrath, Alister E.

• ISBN13: 9781405187916
• ISBN10: 1405187913
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-12-02
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Now thoroughly updated to reflect the latest debates, this popular textbook introduces readers to the central questions in the field of science and religion. Ideally suited to those who have little or no prior knowledge in either area, it incorporates numerous student-friendly features, including maps, summaries, and historical references, resulting in the most up-to-date introduction to the study of religion and the natural sciences available. Examines the historical, theological, philosophical and scientific aspects of the interaction between religion and science Fully updated to reflect current, cutting-edge debates on scientific atheism and the limits of scientific method, and discussions about the relationship between science and religion in major world faiths Includes a historical component to enable readers to orientate themselves within the subject Takes a topic based approach which fits into the existing structure of most courses, and includes explanatory material not found in other works of this kind, making it highly accessible for those with little scientific or religious background knowledge Incorporates illustrations, tables, maps, summaries and questions for a lively and engaging approach to the subject Written by world-renowned theologian, Alister McGrath; author of bestselling books such as Dawkins' God, and an acknowledged expert in the field of science and religion

Author Biography

Alister E. McGrath is Professor of Theology, Ministry and Education, and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture at King's College, London. He studied natural sciences at Oxford University, gaining a doctorate in molecular biology, before turning his attention to the study of theology. He is a world-renowned theologian, and is the author of numerous bestselling titles, including Dawkins' God (2004), Theology: The Basics (2004), Christianity: An Introduction, 2nd edition (2006), Christian Theology, fourth edition (2007) and The Christian Theology Reader, third edition (2007), all published by Wiley-Blackwell.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
How To Use This Book	p. ix
Introducing the Dialogue Between Science and Religion	p. 1
History: Three Landmark Debates	p. 7
Why Study History?	p. 9
Copernicus, Galileo, and the Solar System	p. 17
Newton, the Mechanical Universe, and Deism	p. 26
Darwin and the Biological Origins of Humanity	p. 33
Science and Religion: General Themes	p. 43
Models of Interaction Between Science and Religion	p. 45
Science, Religion, and the Explanation of Things	p. 51
Science, Religion, and Proofs for God's Existence	p. 59
Verification and Falsification in Science and Religion	p. 67
Realism and its Alternatives in Science and Religion	p. 76
The Doctrine of Creation and the Natural Sciences	p. 84
How Does God Act in the World?	p. 93
The Use of Models in Science and Religion	p. 102
Natural Science and Natural Theology	p. 110
Theoretical Anomalies in Science and Religion	p. 120
The Development of Theory in Science and Religion	p. 128
The Interaction of Science and Religion in Other Faiths	p. 135
Science and Religion: Contemporary Debates	p. 143
Richard Dawkins and Scientific Atheism: Does Science Deny God?	p. 145
Cosmology: Does the Anthropic Principle Mean Anything?	p. 151
Quantum Theory: Complementarity in Science and Religion	p. 157
Evolutionary Biology: Can One Speak of "Design" in Nature?	p. 163
Evolutionary Psychology: The Origins of Religious Belief	p. 169
The Psychology of Religion: Exploring Religious Experience	p. 175
The Cognitive Science of Religion: Is Religion "Natural"?	p. 184
Case Studies in Science and Religion	p. 191
	p. 193
	p. 197
	p. 201
	p. 205
	p. 209
	p. 213
	p. 217
	p. 221
	p. 225
	p. 229
Conclusion	p. 233
References	p. 235
Index	p. 240
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