When Science Meets Religion

by Barbour, Ian G.

• ISBN13: 9780060603816
• ISBN10: 006060381X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-11-12
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publications

Summary

The Definitive Introduction To The Relationship Between Religion And Science bull; In The Beginning: Why Did the Big Bang Occur? bull; Quantum Physics: A Challenge to Our Assumptions About Reality? bull; Darwin And Genesis: Is Evolution God's Way of Creating? bull; Human Nature: Are We Determined by Our Genes? bull; God And Nature: Can God Act in a LawBound World? Over the centuries and into the new millennium, scientists, theologians, and the general public have shared many questions about the implications of scientific discoveries for religious faith. Nuclear physicist and theologian Ian Barbour, winner of the 1999 Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion for his pioneering role in advancing the study of religion and science, presents a clear, contemporary introduction to the essential issues, ideas, and solutions in the relationship between religion and science. In simple, straightforward language, Barbour explores the fascinating topics that illuminate the critical encounter of the spiritual and quantitative dimensions of life.

Author Biography

Ian G. Barbour is professor emeritus of physics and religion at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Introduction	1	(6)
Four Views of Science And Religion	7	(32)
Conflict
Scientific Materialism	11	(4)
Biblical Literalism	15	(2)
Independence
Separate Domains	17	(2)
Differing Languages and Functions	19	(4)
Dialogue
Presuppositions and Limit-Questions	23	(1)
Methodological and Conceptual Parallels	24	(4)
Integration
Natural Theology	28	(3)
Theology of Nature	31	(3)
Systematic Synthesis	34	(5)
Astronomy And Creation	39	(26)
Conflict
A Universe by Chance	42	(3)
Harmonizing Genesis and the Big Bang	45	(3)
Independence
The Religious Meaning of Creation	48	(2)
The Function of Creation Stories	50	(2)
Dialogue
The Intelligibility of the Cosmos	52	(2)
The Contingency of the Cosmos	54	(3)
Integration
Design: The Anthropic Principle	57	(2)
Models of God as Creator	59	(2)
The Significance of Humanity	61	(4)
The Implications Of Quantum Physics	65	(25)
Conflict
God in a Deterministic World	70	(2)
God and Chance	72	(2)
Independence
Instrumentalist Views of Quantum Theory	74	(2)
The Lesson of Complementarity	76	(2)
Dialogue
The Role of the Observer	78	(3)
Holism in the Quantum World	81	(3)
Integration
Eastern Mysticism and Quantum Holism	84	(2)
God and Quantum Indeterminacy	86	(4)
Evolution And Continuing Creation	90	(29)
Conflict
Evolutionary Materialism	93	(3)
Theistic Critics of Neo-Darwinism	96	(3)
Independence
Contrasting Domains and Methods	99	(2)
Primary and Secondary Causality	101	(3)
Dialogue
Complexity and Self-Organization	104	(1)
The Concept of Information	105	(3)
A Hierarchy of Levels	108	(3)
Integration
Evolutionary Design	111	(3)
God and Continuing Creation	114	(1)
Process Philosophy	115	(4)
Genetics, Neuroscience, And Human Nature	119	(31)
Conflict
Reductive Materialism	122	(2)
Sociobiology and Human Morality	124	(2)
Genetic Determinism and Human Freedom	126	(3)
Independence
Body/Soul Dualism	129	(3)
Body and Soul: Complementary Perspectives	132	(1)
Sin and Redemption	133	(2)
Dialogue
Neuroscience and the Embodied Self	135	(2)
Anthropolgy and the Social Self	137	(2)
The Computer and the Brain	139	(4)
Integration
Biological Organism and Responsible Self	143	(1)
Mind and Brain: Two Aspects of One Process	144	(2)
Process Philosophy	146	(4)
God And Nature	150	(31)
Conflict
Naturalistic Critiques of Theism	154	(3)
Religious Naturalism	157	(2)
Independence
Primary and Secondary Causality	159	(3)
Complementary Languages	162	(2)
Dialogue
God as Designer of a Self-Organizing Process	164	(2)
God as Communicator of Information	166	(1)
God's Self-Limitation	167	(3)
Integration
God as Determiner of Indeterminacies	170	(2)
God as Top-Down Cause	172	(2)
Process Theology	174	(7)
Notes	181	(16)
Index of Names	197	(6)
Index of Selected Topics	203