In recent years, the relations between science and religion have been the object of renewed attention. Developments in physics, biology and the neurosciences have reinvigorated discussions about the nature of life and ultimate reality. At the same time, the growth of anti-evolutionary and intelligent design movements has led many to the view that science and religion are necessarily in conflict. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the relations between science and religion, with contributions from historians, philosophers, scientists and theologians. It explores the impact of religion on the origins and development of science, religious reactions to Darwinism, and the link between science and secularization. It also offers in-depth discussions of contemporary issues, with perspectives from cosmology, evolutionary biology, psychology, and bioethics. The volume is rounded out with philosophical reflections on the connections between atheism and science, the nature of scientific and religious knowledge, and divine action and human freedom.

Covers historical, contemporary and philosophical perspectives
Written by experts in their respective fields, it provides an authoritative account of the relevant issues
Includes a comprehensive list of further reading

Table of Contents

Introduction Peter Harrison
Part I. Historical Interactions:
1. The fate of science in patristic and medieval Christendom David C. Lindberg
2. Religion and the Scientific Revolution John Henry
3. Natural theology and the sciences Jon Topham
4. Religious reactions to Darwin Jon Roberts
5. Science and secularization John Hedley Brooke
Part II. Religion and Contemporary Science:
6. Scientific creationism and intelligent design Ronald L. Numbers
7. Evolution and the inevitability of intelligent life Simon Conway Morris
8. God, physics and the Big Bang William R. Stoeger
9. Psychology and theology Fraser Watts
10. Science, bioethics and religion John H. Evans
Part III. Philosophical Perspectives:
11. Atheism, naturalism and science: three in one? Michael Ruse
12. Divine action, emergence and scientific explanation Nancey Murphy
13. Science, God and cosmic purpose John Haught
14. Ways of relating science and religion Mikael Stenmark
A guide to further reading
Index.

Editor

Peter Harrison, University of Oxford
Peter Harrison is Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, and Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre, University of Oxford. He is the author of The Bible, Protestantism and the Rise of Natural Science (Cambridge, 1998), and The Fall of Man and the Foundation of Science (Cambridge, 2007).

Contributors

Peter Harrison, David C. Lindberg, John Henry, Jon Topham, Jon Roberts, John Hedley Brooke, Ronald L. Numbers, Simon Conway Morris, William R. Stoeger, Fraser Watts, John H. Evans, Michael Ruse, Nancey Murphy, John Haught, Mikael Stenma