Religion and Science: The Basics

by Clayton; Philip

• ISBN13: 9780415598569
• ISBN10: 0415598567
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2011-09-20
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Religion and Science: The Basicsoffers an introduction to ongoing questions and philosophical arguments in the controversial field of religion and science. Examining both sides of arguments through thematic debates, the author presents a rounded response to essential issues including: Science or Religion, or Science and Religion? The perspectives of Intelligent design and New Atheism Relationships between science and world religions The role of scientific ethics Ongoing debates within science The future of science vs. the future of religion Presenting ideas from a range of world religions and different scientific perspectives, this book is essential reading for all those studying philosophy and religion who wish to formulate their own questions and opinions about this much debated subject.

Author Biography

Philip Clayton is Ingraham Professor and Dean of Claremont School of Theology, and Provost of Claremont Lincoln University, USA. Author or editor of some twenty books, he is widely recognized internationally as a leading figure in the field of religion and science.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. viii
The basic question: science or religion, or science and religion?	p. 1
The debate that no one can avoid	p. 1
A naturalist and a theist in debate	p. 3
Taking stock	p. 11
The two most famous foes: Intelligent Design versus the New Atheists	p. 15
Intelligent Design	p. 17
ID as science	p. 18
But is it really science?	p. 21
God, design, and delusion	p. 24
Six New Atheist arguments	p. 25
How Dawkins should have argued	p. 30
Biology excludes the idea of God	p. 32
Biology renders the existence of God improbable	p. 33
Religious belief is incompatible with the scientific mindset	p. 34
Where does the debate leave us?	p. 39
Science and the world's religions	p. 43
Judaism	p. 44
Islam	p. 47
Hinduism	p. 51
Buddhism	p. 56
Conclusions and further questions to explore	p. 61
Physics	p. 66
Wliy the religious interest in cosmology?	p. 67
Fundamental physics	p. 71
Fine-tuning and the multiverse	p. 73
Quantum physics and consciousness	p. 75
Possible religious implications	p. 79
What physics does and doesn't show	p. 81
The biological sciences	p. 86
The origins of life	p. 86
Evolution and creation	p. 90
Are genes the fundamental units of evolution?	p. 92
Are humans unique?	p. 96
The neurosciences	p. 104
Brains, minds, and consciousness	p. 104
Can thoughts and intentions do anything?	p. 105
Whatever happened to the soul?	p. 109
Strict naturalism, broad naturalism, and pushing the boundaries	p. 112
Religious experience	p. 114
Science, technology, and ethics: research	p. 121
Stem cell research	p. 122
Ethical issues at the end of life	p. 125
Tlie rights of subjects in scientific experiments	p. 128
Warfare technologies	p. 131
Science, technology, and ethics: applications	p. 136
'Designer drugs': the ethics of pharmaceuticals	p. 136
Computers, ethics, and Artificial Intelligence	p. 142
Access to medical technologies	p. 144
The future of science and religion	p. 152
Summarizing the options	p. 152
Making the case for partnerships	p. 157
Values from science, values from religion	p. 157
The religious traditions and the scientific method	p. 161
Compassion and justice	p. 162
The environmental crisis	p. 164
They're your questions now …	p. 167
Notes	p. 172
Index	p. 183
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