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This book argues that the phenomena of religion can not be reduced to the phenomena of biology.
List of contents
Preface; Part I. Genetic Values: Diversity and Complexity in Natural History: 1. Natural history: diversity and complexity; 2. Contingent natural history?; 3. Searching genes; 4. Smart genes; 5. Genetic algorithms; 6. Intrinsic and inclusive genetic values; 7. Distributed and shared genetic values; 8. Storied natural history; Part II. Genetic Identity: Conserved and Integrated Values: 9. Genetic identity; 10. Genes in organisms; 11. Organisms in communities; 12. Sexuality, selfishness, and community; 13. Interspecifically and intraspecifically shared genes; Part III. Culture: Genes and the Genesis of Human Culture; 14. Nature and culture; 15. Gene-mind co-evolution; 16. Genetic determinants in culture; 17. The evolution of ideas; 18. The human genius; 19. Historical versus universal explanations in nature and culture; Part IV. Science: Naturalized, Socialized, Evaluated: 20. Science: generating and selecting theories; 21. Science naturalized?; 22. Science socialized; 23. The selective advantage of science; 24. Progress in scientific and in natural history; 25. Transcendent science; 26. An unfolding story; Part V. Ethics: Naturalized, Socialized, Evaluated; 27. Moral value: love, justice, and respect; 28. Naturalized ethics? Emergent, socialized morality; 29. Naturalized ethics? Illusory, Darwinized morality; 30. Evaluating ethics: values defended and shared; Part VI. Religion: Naturalized, Socialized, Evaluated: 31. The divine epic of life; 32. Religion and fertility; 33. Religion and altruism; 34. Functional and true religion; 35. Genesis and God; References; Index.
Summary
Rolston argues that the phenomena of religion and ethics can not be reduced to the phenomena of biology. The book is written by one of the most well-respected figures in the philosophy of biology and religion.
