Genes, Genesis, and God
Values and their Origins in Natural and Human History
Published on 13. February 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
420 pages
978-0-521-64674-1 (ISBN)
Description
Holmes Rolston challenges the sociobiological orthodoxy that would naturalize science, ethics, and religion. The book argues that genetic processes are not blind, selfish, and contingent, and that nature is therefore not value-free. The author examines the emergence of complex biodiversity through evolutionary history. Especially remarkable in this narrative is the genesis of human beings with their capacities for science, ethics, and religion. A major conceptual task of the book is to relate cultural genesis to natural genesis. There is also a general account of how values are created and transmitted in both natural and human cultural history. The book is written by one of the most well-respected figures in the philosophy of biology and religion.
Reviews / Votes
'This book ... is a full and fair natural theological attempt to understand modern biology and its relevance for social, ethical and religious thought.' The Philosophical QuarterlyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
14 Line drawings, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
679 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-64674-1 (9780521646741)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
02/1999
Cambridge University Press
€114.30
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Content
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.