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Review
A rich introductory text...on the study of relations of science and religion. (R. P. Whaite, Metascience )
A marvellous book that should be required reading for dogmatic fundamentalists of every persuasion. (Patricia Fara, British Journal for the History of Science )
Dixon shows great skill in composing a book which combines coherence and clarity with a strong forward momentum... The interested reader need not hesitate. (Michael Fuller, The Expository Times )
Bracing initiation (Observer. )
The relationship between science and religion, past and present, is much more varied and more interesting than the popular caricature of conflict. Thomas Dixon gives us the richer picture, and he does it with clarity and verve. This is an ideal introduction to a fascinating subject. (Peter Lipton. University of Cambridge )
Thomas Dixon has made a delightful contribution to this OUP series of Very Short Introductions. (Church Times )
A marvellous book that should be required reading for dogmatic fundamentalists of every persuasion. (Patricia Fara, British Journal for the History of Science )
Dixon shows great skill in composing a book which combines coherence and clarity with a strong forward momentum... The interested reader need not hesitate. (Michael Fuller, The Expository Times )
Bracing initiation (Observer. )
The relationship between science and religion, past and present, is much more varied and more interesting than the popular caricature of conflict. Thomas Dixon gives us the richer picture, and he does it with clarity and verve. This is an ideal introduction to a fascinating subject. (Peter Lipton. University of Cambridge )
Thomas Dixon has made a delightful contribution to this OUP series of Very Short Introductions. (Church Times )
Product Description
The debate between science and religion is never out of the news: emotions run high, fuelled by polemical bestsellers like The God Delusion and, at the other end of the spectrum, high-profile campaigns to teach 'Intelligent Design' in schools. Yet there is much more to the debate than the clash of these extremes. As Thomas Dixon shows in this balanced and thought-provoking introduction, many have seen harmony rather than conflict between faith and science. He explores not only the key philosophical questions that underlie the debate, but also the social, political, and ethical contexts that have made 'science and religion' such a fraught and interesting topic in the modern world, offering perspectives from non-Christian religions and examples from across the physical, biological, and social sciences.. Along the way, he examines landmark historical episodes such as the trial of Galileo by the Inquisition in 1633, and the famous debate between 'Darwin's bulldog' Thomas Huxley and Bishop Wilberforce in Oxford in 1860. The Scopes 'Monkey Trial' in Tennessee in 1925 and the Dover Area School Board case of 2005 are explained with reference to the interaction between religion, law, and education in modern America.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This entry in the "Very Short Introduction" series is an absolute gem. Thomas Dixon is neither a scientist nor a theologian, but, as an academic and member of the International Society for Science and Religion, he writes with authority and clarity on a debate that has been topical at least since the time of Galileo.
Dixon provides an entertaining overview of the debate as it has shaped up from the heresy trial of Galileo in 17th Century Rome, through the seismic upheaval wrought by Darwin's theory of evolution in the 19th Century to the contemporary clashes between neo-Darwinists and the creationist and intelligent design theorists who oppose them. The book presumes no in-depth knowledge of either scientific theory or religious teachings, but provides brief but helpful explanations of how developments in the various branches of science that have taken place since Copernicus first posited a sun-centred astronomy in 1543 have impacted on religion and theology across the different traditions (though the focus is very much on the theistic religions). Dixon shows how the on-going discussion has been shaped by deeper socio-political currents, so that the truth claims made by participants on either side of the debate cannot be understood in isolation from their historical or cultural context. For example, the form and emphases that the debate has taken in America has been largely shaped by the US Constitution and its First Amendment which enshrines the principal of the separation between Church and State.
Above all, what makes this book such a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the debate in further depth is the balance that Dixon strives to keep. Where so often the interface between science and theology is seen as one of conflict, Dixon keeps in view the possibility of harmonious interaction between disciplines. By training a keen philosophical eye on the various orthodoxies that have been adopted down the centuries by key players on either side of the debate, Dixon gently exposes the flaws in any form of absolutism or reductionism, be it scientific or religious.
Dixon provides an entertaining overview of the debate as it has shaped up from the heresy trial of Galileo in 17th Century Rome, through the seismic upheaval wrought by Darwin's theory of evolution in the 19th Century to the contemporary clashes between neo-Darwinists and the creationist and intelligent design theorists who oppose them. The book presumes no in-depth knowledge of either scientific theory or religious teachings, but provides brief but helpful explanations of how developments in the various branches of science that have taken place since Copernicus first posited a sun-centred astronomy in 1543 have impacted on religion and theology across the different traditions (though the focus is very much on the theistic religions). Dixon shows how the on-going discussion has been shaped by deeper socio-political currents, so that the truth claims made by participants on either side of the debate cannot be understood in isolation from their historical or cultural context. For example, the form and emphases that the debate has taken in America has been largely shaped by the US Constitution and its First Amendment which enshrines the principal of the separation between Church and State.
Above all, what makes this book such a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the debate in further depth is the balance that Dixon strives to keep. Where so often the interface between science and theology is seen as one of conflict, Dixon keeps in view the possibility of harmonious interaction between disciplines. By training a keen philosophical eye on the various orthodoxies that have been adopted down the centuries by key players on either side of the debate, Dixon gently exposes the flaws in any form of absolutism or reductionism, be it scientific or religious.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The subject matter of the interaction between science and religion is one fraught with misunderstandings. For a while now, there has been a growing tendency to view these two disciplines as polar opposites of each other, and to characterize the interaction as that of a conflict. It does not help that many scientists are atheists, and many believers are not well versed in science. Consequently, each field is perceived as a caricature of itself when viewed through the eyes of its opponents. And yet, what each one offers in its own right and with the respect to other is much more nuanced and rich than these caricatures would imply. The recent spate of neo-atheist books has rekindled interest in the connection between the two. This new atheism bases itself largely on scientism, the idea that religion is false because it is not science.
There is a paucity of good books that do justice to both fields, which makes it difficult for the serious and intellectually honest novice to receive an objective and yet comprehensive account of them. Thomas Dixon's "Science and Religion - A Very Short Introduction" is a welcome exception and probably the best first introduction to the subject. In line with the other "very short introduction" books, this one is sophisticated and does not condescend to its readers by calling them "dummies" or "idiots." Nevertheless it is a very accessible book that sheds a lot of light on its subject. It would be unreasonable to expect a book this slim to cover all of the different approaches to religion and science, and some adjustments need to be made. For the most part, it uses Christianity as the primary example of religion, and discusses those scientific theories and discoveries that have historically posed the greatest challenges to the Christian worldview. It includes all of the "greatest hits" of the debates between science and religion - the Galileo affair, Darwin and evolution, creationism and intelligent design, and mind and morality. Dixon approaches all of these controversies with a lot of historical insight and manages to stir clear of catering to facile misinterpretations that have become popular in the public conception. Thus, the Galileo affair is viewed against the backdrop of the seventeenth century political and scientific events, from which it becomes clear that much of the latter interpretations are mere mythologizations of the events in question. On the other hand, Dixon is equally careful to avoid the trap of revisionist apologetics that underplay the severity of the punishment that Galileo had to endure and the chilling effect it had on his further scientific endeavors.
By focusing on concrete events and controversies, Dixon enhances the readability of the book. Too often a potentially intellectually honest appraisal of the connection and the interaction between science and religion assumes too much or too little of the reader, and consequently falls into either of the two categories of scholarly philosophizing or amateurish polemicizing. Nevertheless, the right balance can be achieved, and anyone who is new to this subject would greatly benefit from reading Thomas Dixon's succinct yet informative volume.
There is a paucity of good books that do justice to both fields, which makes it difficult for the serious and intellectually honest novice to receive an objective and yet comprehensive account of them. Thomas Dixon's "Science and Religion - A Very Short Introduction" is a welcome exception and probably the best first introduction to the subject. In line with the other "very short introduction" books, this one is sophisticated and does not condescend to its readers by calling them "dummies" or "idiots." Nevertheless it is a very accessible book that sheds a lot of light on its subject. It would be unreasonable to expect a book this slim to cover all of the different approaches to religion and science, and some adjustments need to be made. For the most part, it uses Christianity as the primary example of religion, and discusses those scientific theories and discoveries that have historically posed the greatest challenges to the Christian worldview. It includes all of the "greatest hits" of the debates between science and religion - the Galileo affair, Darwin and evolution, creationism and intelligent design, and mind and morality. Dixon approaches all of these controversies with a lot of historical insight and manages to stir clear of catering to facile misinterpretations that have become popular in the public conception. Thus, the Galileo affair is viewed against the backdrop of the seventeenth century political and scientific events, from which it becomes clear that much of the latter interpretations are mere mythologizations of the events in question. On the other hand, Dixon is equally careful to avoid the trap of revisionist apologetics that underplay the severity of the punishment that Galileo had to endure and the chilling effect it had on his further scientific endeavors.
By focusing on concrete events and controversies, Dixon enhances the readability of the book. Too often a potentially intellectually honest appraisal of the connection and the interaction between science and religion assumes too much or too little of the reader, and consequently falls into either of the two categories of scholarly philosophizing or amateurish polemicizing. Nevertheless, the right balance can be achieved, and anyone who is new to this subject would greatly benefit from reading Thomas Dixon's succinct yet informative volume.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book. Clear, concise and most of all balanced - a quality that is hard to come by when science and religion are discussed together. Thomas Dixon gives a thoughtful and objective overview of the relationship between science and religion. I am interested in reading about what theology and science each bring to the big questions such as how did life come about? Why are we here at all? For me, discussions are all the richer for both perspectives being present. I don't want to be converted to particular belief (theistic or atheistic), I'm not interested being part of a 'them and us' culture. This book, for me then, felt like a real breath of fresh air as it encouraged the reader to develop a similarly balanced, yet questioning approach, to both science and religion. More like this please!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A balanced and unbiased review of the interlinked role of science and...
This is an excellent book for someone seeking to expand their knowledge on the arguments for both science and faith in the interpretation and the understanding of our existence in... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Nabil
Enjoyable, balanced and recommended
The book can perhaps be best summed up in this quotation by the author, Thomas Dixon:
"The story (of religion and science) is not always one of a heroic and open-minded... Read more
"The story (of religion and science) is not always one of a heroic and open-minded... Read more
Published 16 months ago by N. Street
Science and Religion
This book does what it's title says ie serves as an introduction to the Science and (versus?) Religion debate. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Doced
brilliant little book
If you're thinking about the relationship between science and religion this is a fun and gently persuasive guide to the issues that succeeds in complicating any lazy "science vs... Read more
Published 20 months ago by no moving lines
Recommended Introductory Read
From the previous reviews this little book has attracted nothing but recommendations. I do no more than add my support to these views. Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2009 by Peregrinus
Science and religion: A philosophical view
Science and Religion: A very short introduction by Thomas Dixon, Oxford, 2008, 168 ff.
Science and Religion - a philosophical view
By Howard A. Read more
Science and Religion - a philosophical view
By Howard A. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2009 by Dr. H. A. Jones
Really worth a read
I'd recommend reading this short book to anyone with an interst in this important area. It summarises the issues in an easy to understand and digestible way. Read more
Published on 20 April 2009 by Jeremy R
Science and Religion: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short...
Excellent service, prompt delivery, I found the book useful to include information of an assignment for a Foundation degree in Theology. Thanks
Published on 14 April 2009 by lizzie
A welcome relief!
At last, a well balanced, readable and eminently fair book on this highly topical subject. It is a welcome relief to read such a carefully thought out work; unquestionably a most... Read more
Published on 30 July 2008 by Mr. Richard J. Pask
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