A Religion Of Nature Project Muse Upcc Books

An eloquent case for regarding nature itself as the focus of religionas the metaphysical ultimate deserving religious commitment. The beauty, sublimity, and wonder of nature have been justly celebrated in all of the religious traditions of the world, but usually these traditions have focused on beings or powers presumed to lie behind nature, providing natures ultimate explanation and meaning. In a radical departure, Donald A. Crosby makes an eloquent case for regarding nature itself as the focus of religion, conceived without God, gods, or animating spirits of any kind, and argues that nature is metaphysically ultimate. He explores the concept of nature, the place of humans in nature, the responsibilities of humans to one another and to their natural environments, and offers a religious vision that grants to nature the kind of reverence, awe, love, and devotion formerly reserved for God. Crosby also shares his personal journey from theistic faith to a religion of nature. Publisher's description: The beauty, sublimity, and wonder of nature have been justly celebrated in all of the religious traditions of the world, but usually these traditions have focused on beings or powers presumed to lie behind nature, providing nature's ultimate explanation and meaning. In a radical departure, Donald A. Crosby makes an eloquent case for regarding nature itself as religion, conceived without God, gods, or animating spirits of any kind, and argues that nature is metaphysically ultimate. He explores the concept of nature, the place of humans in nature, the responsibilities of humans to one another and to their natural environments, and offers a religious vision that grants to nature the kind of reverence, awe, love, and devotion formerly reserved for God. Crosby also shares his personal journey from theistic faith to a religion of nature A Religion of Nature 4 Contents 10 Preface 12 Part 1: Introduction 14 1. From God to Nature: A Personal Odyssey 16 Part 2: The Nature of Nature 28 2. Concept of Nature 30 3. Science and Nature 56 4. Values in Nature 70 5. Humans and Nature 102 Part 3: A Religion of Nature 128 6. The Nature of Religion and a Religion of Nature 130 7. Objections to a Religion of Nature 144 8. The Religious Ultimacy of Nature 172 Notes 184 Selected Bibliography 200 Index of Authors and Titles 206 A 206 B 206 C 206 D 206 E 206 F 206 G 207 H 207 I 207 J 207 K 207 L 207 M 207 N 207 O 207 P 207 Q 207 R 207 S 207 T 208 U 208 W 208 Y 208 Index of Subjects 210 A 210 B 210 C 210 D 210 E 210 F 210 G 211 H 211 I 211 J 211 L 211 M 211 N 211 O 213 P 213 R 213 S 213 T 213 V 213 A Religion of Nature......Page 4 Contents......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Part 1: Introduction......Page 14 1. From God to Nature: A Personal Odyssey......Page 16 Part 2: The Nature of Nature......Page 28 2. Concept of Nature......Page 30 3. Science and Nature......Page 56 4. Values in Nature......Page 70 5. Humans and Nature......Page 102 Part 3: A Religion of Nature......Page 128 6. The Nature of Religion and a Religion of Nature......Page 130 7. Objections to a Religion of Nature......Page 144 8. The Religious Ultimacy of Nature......Page 172 Notes......Page 184 Selected Bibliography......Page 200 F......Page 206 S......Page 207 Y......Page 208 F......Page 210 N......Page 211 V......Page 213 The author makes a stirring, poignant argument for making nature the basis for the metaphysical, pointing out that nature itself is worthy of a deep adoration and commitment. Simultaneous. (Philsophy) Donald A. Crosby. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 187-192) And Indexes.