Religion and Science: An Introduction

As well as an overview of the history of the religion/science debate, it will look at contemporary issues such as stem cell research, artificial intelligence, and the human genome project.

1. Introduction
Why Are We Interested in Religion and Science?
Religion, Science and Secularism
Some Models for Relating Religion and Science
A Philosophical Approach to Religion and Science

2. Religion and Science in History
The Ancient World: Aristotle
The Medieval World: St. Augustine and St. Thomas
The Protestant Reformation
The Galileo Controversy of the Seventeenth Century
Galileo and Newton, and the Development of Science
Eighteenth Century Developments
The Nineteenth Century: Darwin and Freud

3. Science and Naturalism in the Twentieth Century
The Success of Science
The Scientific Method, and Objective Knowledge Realism vs. Anti-Realism
The Undermining of Truth in the History of Science
The Modern Face of Science: Naturalism

4. God and Evolution
Evolution and Modern Culture
Brief History of Evolution
The Theory of Evolution
The Evidence for Evolution: Questions and Answers
Religious, Philosophical and Moral Implications of Evolution

5. Science and the Human Person
A Challenge to the Traditional Understanding of the Human Person
The Nature of Consciousness
Human Free Will
Immortality
Artificial Intelligence
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

6. Design in the Universe
William Paley's Argument
The "Laws of Physics" Argument from Design
Design at the Beginning: The Anthropic Argument
Intelligent Design Arguments

7. God and the Universe
The Universe and the Big Bang Theory
God as First Cause
The Significance of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics
How Does God Act in the World?

8. Science, Religion and Ethics
Mapping the Human Genome
Stem Cells and Cloning
Conclusion: Some Lessons for Scientists and Religious Believers

Notes
Guide to Further Reading
Index

"Sweetman's work is a brilliant, lucid, fair and balanced introduction to the historical and contemporary relationship between science and religion. His non-polemical, even-handed book should engage all those with interests in philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, and the vexing question in the history of ideas and culture about whether religion and science are or can be friends or foes." -- Charles Taliaferro, Professor of Philosophy, St. Olaf College, MN, USA.
"Brendan Sweetman's book is a model of what an introduction to the topic of science and religion should be. It provides a fine account of how thinkers from ancient times to the present have thought about the topic. It also offers judicious philosophical assessments of their views. Elegantly written, informative, artfully crafted, and thoughtful, Sweetman's book will help readers seriously to reflect on some very complex issues." -- Brian Davies, Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University, New York
"Brendan Sweetman has done impressive work in Religion and Science: An Introduction, summarizing the history of the relationship of religion and science, as well as clearly explaining the issues that are of concern for us today. The book covers such important topics as the religious, philosophical and moral implications of evolutionary theory, the nature of the human person, evidence for design in the universe, and the place of ethics in both fields. His explanations of religious doctrine and scientific theory are accurate and easy to understand.[...] Sweetman presents evidence that the relationship between science and religion can be a cooperative one rather than one of conflict. He gives many examples to support his argument that dialogue can lead to mutual respect and collaboration. [...] This book is a must read for anyone who wants be informed about this important and timely debate."-- Catholic Library World