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. IntroductionWhy Are We Interested in Religion and Science?Religion, Science and SecularismSome Models for Relating Religion and ScienceA Philosophical Approach to Religion and Science2. Religion and Science in HistoryThe Ancient World: AristotleThe Medieval World: St. Augustine and St. ThomasThe Protestant ReformationThe Galileo Controversy of the Seventeenth CenturyGalileo and Newton, and the Development of ScienceEighteenth-Century DevelopmentsThe Nineteenth Century: Darwin and Freud3. Science and Naturalism in the Twentieth CenturyThe Success of ScienceThe Scientific Method, and Objective KnowledgeRealism vs. Anti-RealismThe Undermining of Truth in the History of ScienceThe Modern Face of Science: Naturalism4. God and EvolutionEvolution and Modern CultureBrief History of EvolutionThe Theory of EvolutionThe Evidence for Evolution: Questions and AnswersReligious, Philosophical and Moral Implications of Evolution5. Science and the Human PersonA Challenge to the Traditional Understanding of the Human PersonThe Nature of ConsciousnessHuman Free WillImmortalityArtificial IntelligenceThe Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence6. Design in the UniverseWilliam Paley's ArgumentThe "Laws of Physics" Argument from DesignDesign at the Beginning: The Anthropic ArgumentIntelligent Design Arguments7. God and the UniverseThe Universe and the Big Bang TheoryGod as First CauseThe Significance of Relativity and Quantum MechanicsHow Does God Act in the World?8. Science, Religion and EthicsMapping the Human GenomeStem Cells and CloningConclusion: Some Lessons for Scientists and Religious BelieversNotesGuide to Further ReadingIndex

"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