Darwin's Gift to Science and Religion

Darwin's Gift to Science and Religion PDF

Author: Francisco J. Ayala

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2007-05-23

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 0309102316

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With the publication in 1859 of On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Charles Darwin established evolution by common descent as the dominant scientific explanation for nature's diversity. This was to be his gift to science and society; at last, we had an explanation for how life came to be on Earth. Scientists agree that the evolutionary origin of animals and plants is a scientific conclusion beyond reasonable doubt. They place it beside such established concepts as the roundness of the earth, its revolution around the sun, and the molecular composition of matter. That evolution has occurred, in other words, is a fact. Yet as we approach the bicentennial celebration of Darwin's birth, the world finds itself divided over the truth of evolutionary theory. Consistently endorsed as "good science" by experts and overwhelmingly accepted as fact by the scientific community, it is not always accepted by the public, and our schools continue to be battlegrounds for this conflict. From the Tennessee trial of a biology teacher who dared to teach Darwin's theory to his students in 1925 to Tammy Kitzmiller's 2005 battle to keep intelligent design out of the Dover district schools in Pennsylvania, it's clear that we need to cut through the propaganda to quell the cacophony of raging debate. With the publication of Darwin's Gift, a voice at once fresh and familiar brings a rational, measured perspective to the science of evolution. An acclaimed evolutionary biologist with a background in theology, Francisco Ayala offers clear explanations of the science, reviews the history that led us to ratify Darwin's theories, and ultimately provides a clear path for a confused and conflicted public.

Science and Scientism in Nineteenth-century Europe

Science and Scientism in Nineteenth-century Europe PDF

Author: Richard Olson

Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 370

ISBN-13: 0252074335

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The 19th century produced scientific and cultural revolutions that forever transformed modern European life. Richard Olson provides an integrated account of the history of science and its impact on intellectual and social trends of the day.

Charles and Emma

Charles and Emma PDF

Author: Deborah Heiligman

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company (BYR)

Published: 2009-01-06

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 1429934956

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Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species, his revolutionary tract on evolution and the fundamental ideas involved, in 1859. Nearly 150 years later, the theory of evolution continues to create tension between the scientific and religious communities. Challenges about teaching the theory of evolution in schools occur annually all over the country. This same debate raged within Darwin himself, and played an important part in his marriage: his wife, Emma, was quite religious, and her faith gave Charles a lot to think about as he worked on a theory that continues to spark intense debates. Deborah Heiligman's new biography of Charles Darwin is a thought-provoking account of the man behind evolutionary theory: how his personal life affected his work and vice versa. The end result is an engaging exploration of history, science, and religion for young readers. Charles and Emma is a 2009 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature.

Before Darwin

Before Darwin PDF

Author: Keith Stewart Thomson

Publisher: Yale University Press

Published: 2007-08-28

Total Pages: 344

ISBN-13: 9780300126006

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Scientists and thologians had long been debating the religious implicaitons of evolutionary theory when Darwin announced his theory of natural selection.

Galileo, Darwin, and Hawking

Galileo, Darwin, and Hawking PDF

Author: Phil Dowe

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2005-03-15

Total Pages: 220

ISBN-13: 9780802826961

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The history of the interaction between science and religion is fraught with tension, although, as philosopher Phil Dowe demonstrates, many thoughtful and religious people have also found harmony between these two crucial fields. This fascinating book insightfully surveys the relationship of science, reason, and religion, giving special attention to the most contentious topics -- cosmology, evolution, and miracles. Providing a superb introduction to the philosophy of science, Dowe's Galileo, Darwin, and Hawking contends that there are four basic ways to relate science and religion. Two of them, naturalism and religious science, present these endeavors as antagonistic. By contrast, an independence view understands them as wholly unrelated. Finally, an interaction account sees religion and science as complementary -- perhaps even dependent on one another. Dowe finds this last perspective the most historically and philosophically compelling. He argues his case by exploring the history of science, highlighting the life and work of three scientific giants: Galileo Galilei, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking.

God After Darwin

God After Darwin PDF

Author: John F. Haught

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-05-04

Total Pages: 318

ISBN-13: 0429979797

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In God After Darwin, eminent theologian John F. Haught argues that the ongoing debate between Darwinian evolutionists and Christian apologists is fundamentally misdirected: Both sides persist in focusing on an explanation of underlying design and order in the universe. Haught suggests that what is lacking in both of these competing ideologies is the notion of novelty, a necessary component of evolution and the essence of the unfolding of the divine mystery. He argues that Darwin's disturbing picture of life, instead of being hostile to religion-as scientific skeptics and many believers have thought it to be-actually provides a most fertile setting for mature reflection on the idea of God. Solidly grounded in scholarship, Haught's explanation of the relationship between theology and evolution is both accessible and engaging. The second edition of God After Darwin features an entirely new chapter on the ongoing, controversial debate between intelligent design and evolution, including an assessment of Haught's experience as an expert witness in the landmark case of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District on teaching evolution and intelligent design in schools.

Saving Darwin

Saving Darwin PDF

Author: Karl W. Giberson

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2009-10-06

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 0061983411

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Evolution Is Not the Bible's Enemy Saving Darwin explores the history of the controversy that swirls around evolution science, from Darwin to current challenges, and shows why—and how—it is possible to believe in God and evolution at the same time.

Finding Darwin's God

Finding Darwin's God PDF

Author: Kenneth R. Miller

Publisher:

Published: 2008-03

Total Pages: 338

ISBN-13: 9781422393253

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Can evolution & God coexist? With powerful logic & evidence, Miller, a cell biologist & prof. of biology, develops an affirmative answer. In this book he presents an artfully constructed argument against both those who deny evolution & those using science to justify a materialist worldview. Yet this is a book for all readers. Miller has a gift for expressing profound ideas in clear & graceful prose. In a very personal & direct way he takes issue with those scientists who claim that modern science has disproven the existence of God. He convincingly argues that science & religion offer different, but compatible, ways of viewing the world. ¿An original, affective treatise that offers new paths toward reconciling science with the faith of the Abrahamic tradition.¿

Science and Religion in Dialogue

Science and Religion in Dialogue PDF

Author: Melville Y. Stewart

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2009-12-01

Total Pages: 1168

ISBN-13: 9781444317367

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This two-volume collection of cutting edge thinking aboutscience and religion shows how scientific and religious practicesof inquiry can be viewed as logically compatible, complementary,and mutually supportive. Features submissions by world-leading scientists andphilosophers Discusses a wide range of hotly debated issues, including BigBang cosmology, evolution, intelligent design, dinosaurs andcreation, general and special theories of relativity, dark energy,the Multiverse Hypothesis, and Super String Theory Includes articles on stem cell research and Bioethics byWilliam Hurlbut, who served on President Bush's BioethicsCommittee

Darwin's Religious Odyssey

Darwin's Religious Odyssey PDF

Author: William E. Phipps

Publisher: A&C Black

Published: 2002-09-01

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 9781563383847

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Draws on newly available material to consider Darwin's personal religious beliefs, profiling him as a man from a specific time in history struggling to harmonize his spiritual worldviews with his scientific findings. Original.