Genes, Genesis, and God: Values and their Origins in Natural and Human History (Volume 0) - Softcover

Holmes Rolston III

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052164674X ISBN 13: 9780521646741

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999

Synopsis

Can the phenomena of religion and ethics be reduced to the phenomena of biology? Holmes Rolston says no, and in this sweeping account of the subject, written with considerable verve and clarity, he challenges the sociobiological orthodoxy that would naturalize science, ethics, and religion. The book is thoroughly up to date on current biological thought and is written by one of the most well-respected figures in the philosophy of biology and religion. It is likely to provoke considerable controversy among a wide range of readers in such fields as philosophy, religious studies, and biology, as well as being suitable for courses on science and religion.

About this title

Review

If you're going to draw together genetics, science in general, ethics, and religion, by definition it probably won't be a simple read. However,Genes, Genesis and God is so well written that the intelligent lay person can grasp the author's arguments.

Holmes Rolston III is a professor of philosophy at Colorado State University. This book is based on his Gifford Lectures at the University of Edinburgh in 1997. What role, he asks, do genes play in the evolution of mankind? For Rolston, man is not seen just as a superior animal but as both a creator and creature of culture; this is what distinguishes us from the beasts.

He carefully examines recent evolutionary theories, including Richard Dawkins's "selfish gene" concept, which he finds not only misnamed but misleading.

The first couple of chapters of the book look at genes, what they are and how they work, and what they do and don't do. From this topic he moves on to the genesis of human culture, to the "evolution" of scientific ideas, to ethics, and finally to religion. Religion, he concludes in his final, deeply thoughtful, and clearly argued chapter, which will annoy atheist evolution advocates and fundamentalist creationists alike, does have a survival value for humankind and is not in any way incompatible with genetics or evolutionary theory.

This book is a valuable contribution to the philosophy of science. A single criticism would be that there is no reference to the recent work of Jack Cohen and Ian Stewart, who pursue a very similar path of inquiry into the "evolution of the curious mind" in their Figments of Reality. --David V Barrett, Amazon.co.uk

Review

"This is a scholarly work by one of the foremost philosophers of biology and religion today....Rolston knows his genetics, and is masterful in presenting complex biological concepts in a highly readable and non-threatening way. It is certain to provoke vigorous discussions between philosophers, theologians and scientists. It's something we need more of." The Presbyterian Outlook

"...to read the lectures is to travel along important paths of enquiry in the company of a mind that is humane and perceptive, careful for truth, and valiant for value." John Polkinghorne--Queens' College, Cambridge

"...to read the lectures is to travel along important paths of enquiry in the company of a mind that is humane and, careful for the truth, and valient for value." John Polkinghorne, Queens College, Cambridge

"Genes, Genesis, and God may be of some value to those who are looking fora collection of perspectives dealing with the origin of complexity and morality...this book could provide something along the lines of a feeling of wonder to those who do not question in any way the evolution paradigm." Seminary Studies 38

"[Holmes Rolston, III] has written a careful but bold challenge to the claims of sociobiologists that human values can be deduced only from nature. Rolston's challenging and provocative, but modest, way of interpreting the story of evolution will stimulate other philosophers to carefully examine recent scientific discoveries about nature and carry further dialogue he has begun." Social Theory and Practice

"I recommend that you read Genes, Genesis, and God and make the judgment of its overall worth for yourself. Whatever your conclusion, you will not think your time has been wasted. For myself, when next I meet Holmes Rolston, I will buy the first round of beer!" Reports

"Rolston's lectures are a magnificent tour de force to solve one of the most important problems in environmental ethics for the twenty-first century: How can we convince the inhabitants of the house that we all live in and on that it ought to be respected, protected, and preserved?" Ethics

"In his published lectures, titled Genes, Genesis, and God and organized under six chapters, Rolston skillfully reworks his stated positions on natural history, objective natural value, the nature-culture distinction, human nature, and the divine-world relationship. He aims to provide an 'integrated account' of science, ethics, end religion, based on is conviction that a 'comprehensive worldview' shapes an environmental ethic." Environmental Ethics

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 052164674X
• ISBN 13: 9780521646741
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 420