Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 205 pages
- Published by: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company February 16, 2005
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0802826962
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0802826961
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Book Dimensions:
8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
- Weighs: 9.6 ounces
Product Description
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.
About The Author
Phil Dowe is senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. His other books include "Physical Causation."
Reader ReviewsDowe deals with the two overarching categories of approaches to the issue of science and religion (or religion and science): (1) that the two realms of knowledge are in irreconcilable conflict with each other and (2) that the two exist in harmony. The first approach takes one of two contrasting forms. In naturalism, science cancels out the claims of religion; in religious science, religion cancels out the claims of science. The second approach also takes one of two forms. One views science and religion as dealing with two "autonomous, independent domains," each field having its own standards, methods, etc. The other, favored by Dowe, considers both fields to be in genuine interaction with each other in a relationship of "mutual promotion." The bulk of the book is his arguing his case for this "interaction" approach through a consideration of the work of Galileo, Darwin, and Hawking. That the author is a philosopher is evident in the book; this is not a lengthy book, but it is also not a casual read . . . and it is worth it.
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