Faith and Wisdom in Science - Softcover

McLeish, Tom

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198757557 ISBN 13: 9780198757559

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2016

Synopsis

"Can you Count the Clouds?" asks the voice of God from the whirlwind in the stunningly beautiful catalogue of nature-questions from the Old Testament Book of Job. Tom McLeish takes a scientist's reading of this ancient text as a centrepiece to make the case for science as a deeply human and ancient activity, embedded in some of the oldest stories told about human desire to understand the natural world. Drawing on stories from the modern science of chaos and uncertainty alongside medieval, patristic, classical and Biblical sources, Faith and Wisdom in Science challenges much of the current 'science and religion' debate as operating with the wrong assumptions and in the wrong space. Its narrative approach develops a natural critique of the cultural separation of sciences and humanities, suggesting an approach to science, or in its more ancient form natural philosophy - the 'love of wisdom of natural things' - that can draw on theological and cultural roots. Following the theme of pain in human confrontation with nature, it develops a 'Theology of Science', recognising that both scientific and theological worldviews must be 'of' each other, not holding separate domains. Science finds its place within an old story of participative reconciliation with a nature, of which we start ignorant and fearful, but learn to perceive and work with in wisdom. Surprisingly, science becomes a deeply religious activity. There are urgent lessons for education, the political process of decision-making on science and technology, our relationship with the global environment, and the way that both religious and secular communities alike celebrate and govern science.

About this title

About the Author

Tom McLeish, Professor of Physics and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, University of Durham

Tom McLeish is Professor of Physics and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Durham University. He studied for his first degree and PhD in polymer physics at the University of Cambridge and in 1987 became a lecturer in physics at the University of Sheffield. In 1993 he took the chair in polymer physics at the University of Leeds. He took up his current position in Durham in 2008. He has won several awards for his work on molecular rheology of polymers, including the Weissenberg Award of the European Society of Rheology (2007), the Gold Medal of the British Society of Rheology (2009) and the Bingham Award of the Society of Rheology (2010). He is also involved in science-communication with the public via regular radio, TV and schools lectures, discussing issues from the Physics of Slime to the interaction of Faith and Science. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the American Physical Society and the Royal Society.

Review

"This fine book differs radically from the numerous other works that tackle the frequently baffling debate between science and religion ... McLeish's masterly summary and exegesis is a delight, providing an incisive commentary on this beautiful but neglected Scripture ... The book will be welcomed by readers already familiar with the science-religion debates; but it is especially recommended for those still to engage in this crucial area."--Peter Clough, The Reader CE Magazine

"Rich and discursive ... it has a lot to offer." --The Guardian

"McLeish's desire for science to be re-assimilated into the interconnected whole of human activity is clear. Only from such a position will our work as scientists be understood and truly appreciated." --Physics World

"A densely argued and erudite book." --Network Review

"This is the best book I have read all year, and the best I would expect to read for a long time to come. It is a superbly crafted exploration of the relationship between science and faith ... The book flows smoothly from one difficult topic to another, erudite but not showy, scholarly but not dense, bold but not brash." -- Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

"Tom McLeish's engaging passion for science is matched by his unique ability to help the reader locate science in a complex and enriching relationship with ancient texts and stories, contemporary culture and the big questions of human existence." --David Wilkinson, Durham University

"Writing as a distinguished physical scientist and committed Christian, he injects new life into an old debate by advancing a "theology of science", which gives to scientific endeavour a special significance in the larger narrative of humanity's experience of pain and hopes for the healing of a broken world. There is verve and vision in his writing, as moving as it is instructive." --John Hedley Brooke

"It is refreshing and remarkable that a distinguished scientist has written such an eloquent and wide-ranging book." --Sir Martin Rees

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0198757557
• ISBN 13: 9780198757559
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304