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Science, it seems to me, has an obligation to take phenomena seriously and to attempt a balanced explanation of their causes and their place in the larger scheme of things. Religion, like morality, is a phenomenon to be studied and, if possible, explained. Religion is NOT simply to be identified with belief in God - it is far more complex than that. Why it persists, in the face of huge intellectual difficulties with many of its claims, is a fascinating subject worthy of serious philosophical and scientific scrutiny.
For more information about the Access series of books for Religious Studies at A level, click here.
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Written for students taking A level examination is Religious Studies, Religion and Science gives an overview of the issues that separate these two aspects of life, unpicks the key arguments and sets them in an historical context.
While the wonders of the universe are being probed at CERN (as in this photos), religion seeks ways in which that sense of wonder can be directed and expressed. This is a debate that can so easily become polarised between a narrow scientism and a literalist view of religion; hopefully, this book will present you with an attempt at careful, rational balance.
Contents: Introduction The Interface of religion and science Ways of seeing Relevance Change and commitment 1. From the Greeks to the Medieval World Pre-socratic theories Plato Aristotle Shaping the Medieval World Religion and the Rise of Science 2. The Rise of Science Evidence and sense experience The Scientific method Copernicus and Galileo Francis Bacon Newton Practical Science Mathematics and Statistics Certainty and authority The end of religion? 3. The Origin of the Universe The dimensions of the universe The Big Bang Theory Creationist Views Creatio ex nihilo God: 'Being Itself' or external agent? The Anthropic Principle 4. Evolution and Design Purpose and direction Providence Geology Darwin and Natural Selection DNA The Design Argument Intelligent Design Social Darwinism 5. Freedom and Determinism An Historical Perspective Leibniz - God's chosen world Kant - determined but free A romantic challenge? Haeckel and Monod - a naturalistic view A quantum view Playing dice? 6. Miracles Historical Background Hume on evidence and miracles Reasonably miraculous? Redefining the miraculous Miracles and the arguments for the existence of God 7. Scientific explanations of Religion Anthropological explanations Sociological explanations Psychological explanations Biological explanations 8. Modern Physics and the Nature of Reality Relativity Quantum mechanics Mystical and religious perspectives 9. What is a human being? Human origins A human machine? Minds, brains and artificial intelligence Surviving death? 10. Technology and Ethics Experiments Technology without limits? Why benefits? Instant information Intellectual property
Click here to return to the book page
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A comment from the author...
"So much has happened in the religion and science debate over the last ten years. Sadly, the most widely publicised is the on-going battle between the fundamentalist extremes, with those who defend a naive and literalist interpretation of Genesis, waged against some scientists (including Dawkins, who really should know better) who refuse to take a measured or scientific view of religion, who who tend to move in the direction of scientism - the 19th century view that science offers the only way to describe reality. Hopefully, this book will restore the rightful position of the middle ground, recognising that religion is an interesting phenomenon for science to examine, but also exploring and celebrating the proper (and inspiring!) place of scientific knowledge in a balanced and humane view of the world." Mel Thompson
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