Evolution as a Religion

Strange Hopes and Stranger Fears

Mary Midgley 2002

E-Book: 225 English Pages

Publisher: Routledge

Price: 2000 Toman

Download: Evolution as a Religion: Strange Hopes and Stranger Fears (Midgley 2002).

This book had a very simple origin. In the early 1980s I was asked to speak at a conference on ‘Evolution and Religion’. This suddenly made me wonder whether the link between these two things was perhaps closer than had been noticed. Was the idea of evolution somehow beginning to be used, not so much as an antidote against religion but
as a substitute for it – indeed, as a form of religion itself?

I had been struck for some time by certain remarkable prophetic and metaphysical passages that appeared suddenly in scientific books about evolution, often in their last chapters. Though these passages were detached from the official reasoning of the books, they seemed still to be presented as science. But they made startling suggestions about vast themes such as immortality, human destiny and the meaning of life. These are difficult topics with which philosophical and religious thinkers have long wrestled. But the scientific writers did not usually refer to any earlier discussions. They simply and confidently laid down their own surprising views about them. Their pronouncements seemed to be seriously intended. But it was far from clear on what level they were meant to be taken. (From Introduction)

Review

Midgley is one of the most acute and penetrating voices in current moral philosophy. Her great gift is clarity, both of thought and, especially, of expression. . To follow her reasoning . is like watching a ballet dancer walking in the street: there is a litheness, a gracefulness, an ease of articulation, which attests to years of learning lightly worn.

––John Banville, The Irish Times

A graceful, refreshing and enlightening book, applied philosophy that is relevant, timely and metaphysical in the best sense.

-– The New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Mary Midgley (1919- ) A philosopher with a special interest in ethics, human nature and science, Mary Midgley has a widespread international following for her work. Her latest book is Science and Poetry.