Evolution As a Religion : Strange Hopes and Stranger Fears

According to The Guardian, Midgley is 'the foremost scourge of scientific pretentions in this country; someone whose wit is admired even by those who fee she sometimes oversteps the mark'. This book examines how science comes to be used as a substitute for religion and points out how badly that role distorts it. Her argument is flawlessly insightful: a punch, compelling, lively indictment of these misuses of science. Both the book and its author are true classics of our time. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 8 INTRODUCTION TO THE ROUTLEDGE CLASSICS EDITION......Page 9 Evolutionary Dramas......Page 14 Do Science and Religion Compete?......Page 24 Demarcation Disputes......Page 35 The Irresistible Escalator......Page 46 Choosing a World......Page 53 The Problem of Direction......Page 67 Scientist and Superscientist......Page 77 Dazzling Prospects......Page 89 Black Holes: Jacques Monod and the Isolation of 'Science'......Page 99 Freedom and the Monte Carlo Drama......Page 108 Scientific Education and Human Transience......Page 117 Mixed Antitheses......Page 125 Science, Scepticism and Awe......Page 135 The Service of Self and the Service of Kali......Page 147 Who or What is Selfish?......Page 156 Dreaming and Waking......Page 168 The Limits of Individualism......Page 176 The Vulnerable World and Its Claims on Us......Page 187 NOTES......Page 205 INDEX......Page 214 This Work Exposes The Illogical Logic Of Poor Doctrines That Shelter Themselves Behind The Prestige Of Science. Midgley Examines How Science Comes To Be Used As A Substitute For Religion And Points Out How Badly That Role Distorts It. Evolutionary Dramas -- Do Science And Religion Compete? -- Demarcation Disputes -- The Irresistible Escalator -- Choosing A World -- The Problem Of Direction -- Scientist And Superscientist -- Dazzling Prospects -- Black Holes: Jacques Monod And The Isolation Of 'science' -- Freedom And The Monte Carlo Drama -- Scientific Education And Human Transience -- Mixed Antitheses -- Science, Scepticism And Awe -- The Service Of Self And The Service Of Kali -- Who Or What Is Selfish? -- Dreaming And Waking -- The Limits Of Individualism -- The Vulnerable World And Its Claims On Us. Mary Midgley. Previous Ed.: London: Methuen, 1985. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [192]-200 And Index. According to a profile in The Guardian, Mary Midgley is'the foremost scourge of scientific pretensions in this country; someone whose wit is admired even by those who feel she sometimes oversteps the mark'. Considered one of Britain's finest philosophers, Midgley exposes the illogical logic of poor doctrines that shelter themselves behind the prestige of science. Always at home when taking on the high priests of evolutionary theory - Dawkins, Wilson and their acolytes - she has famously described evolution as'the creation-myth of our age'. In Evolution as a Religion, she examines how science comes to be used as a substitute for religion and points out how badly that role distorts it. As ever, her argument is flawlessly insightful: a punchy, compelling, lively indictment of these misuses of science. Both the book and its author are true classics of our time. According to a profile in The Guardian, Mary Midgley is 'the foremost scourge of scientific pretensions in this country; someone whose wit is admired even by those who feel she sometimes oversteps the mark'. Considered one of Britain's finest philosophers, Midgley exposes the illogical logic of poor doctrines that shelter themselves behind the prestige of science. Always at home when taking on the high priests of evolutionary theory - Dawkins, Wilson and their acolytes - she has famously described evolution as 'the creation-myth of our age'. In Evolution as a Religion, she ex This classic book by one of Britain's finest philosophers is a punchy, compelling and lively indictment of the notion of science as a religion