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Is nature all there is? John Haught examines this question and in doing so addresses a fundamental issue in the dialogue of science with religion. The belief that nature is all there is and that no overall purpose exists in the universe is known broadly as 'naturalism'. Naturalism, in this context, denies the existence of any realities distinct from the natural world and human culture. Since the rise of science in the modern world has had so much influence on naturalism's intellectual acceptance, the author focuses on 'scientific' naturalism and the way in which its defenders are now attempting to put a distance between contemporary thought and humanity's religious traditions. Haught seeks to provide a reasonable, scientifically informed alternative to naturalism. His approach will provide the basis for lively discussion among students, scholars, scientists, theologians and intellectually curious people in general.
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Is Nature Enough? Is nature all there is? John Haught examines this question and in doing so addresses a fundamental issue in the dialogue of science with religion. The belief that nature is all there is and that no overall purpose exists in the universe is known broadly as “naturalism.” Naturalism, in this context, denies the existence of any realities distinct from the natural world and human culture. Since the rise of science in the modern world has had so much influence on naturalism’s intellectual acceptance, the author focuses on “scientific” naturalism and the way in which its defenders are now attempting to put a distance between contemporary thought and humanity’s religious traditions. Haught seeks to provide a reasonable, scientifically informed alternative to naturalism. His approach will provide the basis for lively discussion among students, scholars, scientists, theologians and intellectually curious people in general. John F. Haught is Distinguished Research Professor of Theology at Georgetown University. His area of specialization is systematic theology with particular interest in issues pertaining to science, cosmology, evolution, ecology and religion. He is the author of thirteen books and numerous articles and reviews.
Is Nature Enough? Meaning and Truth in the Age of Science John F. Haught
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge , UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521847148 © John F. Haught 2006 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published in print format 2006 - -
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To the memory of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ (1881–1955)
Contents
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Acknowledgments
page viii
Introduction Is Nature Enough? Religion Intelligence Life Emergence Purpose Seeing Cosmos Morality Suffering Death Anticipation
1 4 21 32 55 77 98 117 130 143 167 191 209
Index
216
Ac