Religion and Scientific Naturalism: Overcoming the Conflicts (Suny Series in Constructive Postmodern Thought)

Rating:
Summary: In search of evolutionary naturalism
Review: Although I would not share as such the perspective of this book, it is a very useful and provocative exploration of many issues current evolutionary theory, as it collides with religion, cannot deal with, because its assumptions of naturalism simply eliminate the problem rather than solving it. Darwinists are often charged thus with naturalistic preconceptions, then judged by a very narrow standard on this score, and we end with miraculous explanations for punctuated equilibrium, and other nonsense. This work by taking a far broader tack stands in the line of a greater tradition of naturalism, that reminds one of the 'evolutionary naturalism' of W. Sellars, and indeed the work summons the philosopher Whitehead to this debate, from which he has been exiled. The author, for example (and this is only a part of the argument) quite audaciously brings in the issue of parapsychology, although this is and will remain problematical. Every culture of man, with the possible exception of various subcultures of the Indian yogic traditions, has been totally confused on this point, and the final confusion is the positivist attempt to declare there is no such subject. It is not surprising that science should take this approach, but the result instantly vitiates the very basis of theory, for the subject has been amputated. However, it is never promising to pursue this area lightly, and it would seem dubious to make it a basis for a new spiritual evolutionism, if the antiquated yet sound traditions of the Buddhist variety always had better sense in their emphasis, not on the marginal parapsychology, but self-consciousness itself. The book generates a kind of constructive dialectical sparring and evokes a side of modernism we forget, from the lost hermetic traditions, to the pantheism, panentheism, and such of many from Leibnitz to Hegel, whose explorations have succumbed to idealist cliches, blinding us to the degenerated condition of the current spectrum of thought. Such issues have traditionally shown little promise however and would not easily resolve the religion-science dilemmas if we consider the great theosophical deviations they would generate. The turtling down of current positivistic evolutionism is a measure of self-defense.

The author's delineation of the types of naturalism with a subscripted terminology, e.g. naturalism-sam and naturalism-ns, and darwinism-1 to darwinism-8, etc,... is clarifying and useful. The retreat to a form of naturalism-ns (no supernatural)is very acute, and would probably relieve the current concealed metaphysics in the Darwinist enterprise, whose flaws the author analyzes at great length. Very provocative book, whatever one's views of its affirmations.

Rating:
Summary: very informative and insightful!, even though I don't agree
Review: Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I especially like Griffin's coverage of the historical events and philisophical issues surrounding the science-religion debate. I think that he effectively discusses the history of science and the enlightnment within the context of 18th, 19th, and 20th century religiousity (i.e., deism, atheism, etc.). I also like his description of how science influenced religion and vice versa during the previous centuries. These well-constructed discussions are presented in the first few chapters.

Although I don't agree with his synthesis of science and religion (specifically, I don't like the idea of rejecting God's supernaturalism), he does a good job of educating the reader on how important issues such as supernaturalism, determinism, and free will, etc. play a role in the issue of merging the beliefs of science with religion. I sometimes found myself saying, "that is a great insight", or "Hey, I never thought about that before."

If I have to pick something I did not like it would have to be his lengthy coverage of Darwinism. He presents a discussion of this topic to support his argument, but since I don't buy into his program, I found this long discussions superfluous. But, others may find this section interesting nonetheless.

IMO, given the price, this book is well worth it.

Dave

Rating:
Summary: A wake-up call.
Review: The first book I read of David Ray Driffin's was "Parapsychology, Philosophy, and Spirituality: A Postmodern Exploration". That book was a real eye-opening treat. I later purchased his "Unsnarling the World-Knot: Consciousness, Freedom, and the Mind-Body Problem. Also a terrific text. Now he has continued in his pan-experientialist process mode of thought and brought out this wonderful book. Even though I sound entirely in love with his material, I'm not. It's very good and there is much to agree with, but I'm not convinced that theology (or parapsychology) has to give up the term supernatural. In any case, Griffin's books are intelligent and informative, this one is also no exception. Another, excellent recent text that may interest readers is by Huston Smith and its called "Why Religion Matters". Check them all out.

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece for the Ages
Review: The full significance of this book will begin to be realized as cultural evolution unfolds in the next few decades. Professor Griffin has dealt a deathblow to materialism. Atheistic scientism has been demolished on its own terms. But in addition to clearing away the debris of atheistic orthodoxy, Griffin also presents a spiritually-fragrant alternative ontology and epistemology upon which the next great phase of human civilization can be built. This book firmly establishes Griffin as Whitehead's rightful heir, and the leading philosopher of the 21st century -- so far.

Rating:
Summary: Give it up!
Review: Through his book, Mr. Griffin has helped me answer one of the big questions that has bothered me since my undergraduate years in Electrical Engineering - how to resolve my sense of mystery in the world around me with my understanding and appreciation of the scientific method of inquiry. In a nutshell, the answer is that both Science and Religion have to give up some long held beliefs and dogmatic statements of "fact." Put succinctly;

"Belief in the supernatural causes problems for religion it can not solve, and supernaturalism makes religion incompatible with science. For both reasons, religion needs to give it up." 

"Belief in materialism causes problems for science it can not solve, and materialism makes science incompatible with religion. For both reasons, science needs to give it up."

In addition to the views on resolution of this de facto conflict between religion and science, Mr. Griffin's book has shed a considerable amount of light on my meager understanding of Alfred North Whitehead's writings around what I refer to as Process Theology. It has encouraged me to study further my own philosophy and theology and to explore how it fits with my understanding of the material world. As a technologist, it seems imperative for me to clearly understand this issue if for no other reason than to have a sound basis for ethical conduct in our increasingly technology dependent society. So to that end, this book is must reading for all of us, since we will all have to make ethical decisions about advancement in technology from creation of "spiritual machines," to genetic manipulation.