What about the philosophical and religious questions?
The Evolution Controversy is purposely restricted to scientific issues and theories concerning evolution. We believe that this scientific foundation is essential for anyone who truly wishes to understand the evolution controversy and to make sense of evolution in any broader context. But in many respects, the evolution controversy is more important because of that broader context--especially its philosophical and religious implications and interpretations--than it is as a scientific theory. Evolution is viewed as anything from a paradigm of all knowledge to a colossal fraud, from a liberating religious experience to a demonic force.
Not surprisingly, the same problems we find with scientific theories exist with respect to these interpretations and implications of evolution: nearly all writers on the subject have some agenda and are trying to proselytize the reader. So a new book is being written by Thomas Fowler, together with Professor James Clement van Pelt of Yale University Divinity School, to survey and analyze the range of philosophical and theological interpretations of evolution that one might encounter. This book will also be impartial and will present the reader with an objective review of the possible interpretations of evolution, including the problems and issues of each. Topics to be covered in this book include but are not limited to:
- How to approach this highly-charged subject
- Key philosophical issues affecting one's interpretation of any scientific theory
- Historical interaction of science and religion
- Spectrum of interpretations of evolution in Western thought, from atheism through theistic evolution to creationism
- Evolution in non-Christian religious traditions
- Legal, political, and policy: the teaching of evolution
Further information about this exciting new book will be posted here as it becomes available.