Evolution and Ethics: Human Morality in Biological and Religious Perspective

Christians frequently resist evolutionary theory, believing it to be incompatible with the core values of their tradition. But what exactly are the tensions between evolution and religious faith in the area of human morality? Evolution and Ethics examines the burning questions of human morality from the standpoint of Christian thought and contemporary biology, asking where the two perspectives diverge and where they may complement one another. Representing a significant dialogue between world-class scientists, philosophers, and theologians, this volume explores the central features of biological and religious accounts of human morality, introducing the leading theories and locating the key points of contention. Central to these discussions are the questions of whether human actions are ever genuinely selfless, whether there is something in the moral life that transcends biological function, and whether one can sensibly speak of an overall purpose to the course of evolution. Certain to engage scholars, students, and general readers alike, Evolution and Ethics offers a balanced, levelheaded, constructive approach to an often divisive d e b a te. Contributors: Larry Arnhart Christopher Boehm Craig A. Boyd Robert Boyd Michael J. Chapman Philip Clayton Loren Haarsma John Hare S. Mark Heim David C. Lahti Thomas Jay Oord Gregory R. Peterson Joseph Poulshock Peter J. Richerson Philip A. Rolnick Holmes Rolston III Michael Ruse Jeffrey Schloss René van Woudenberg From the Back Cover Christians frequently resist evolutionary theory, believing it to be incompatible with the core values of their tradition. But what exactly are the tensions between evolution and religious faith in the area of human morality? "Evolution and Ethics examines the burning questions of human morality from the standpoint of Christian thought and contemporary biology, asking where the two perspectives diverge and where they may complement one another.Representing a significant dialogue between world-class scientists, philosophers, and theologians, this volume explores the central features of biological and religious accounts of human morality, introducing the leading theories and locating the key points of contention. Central to these discussions are the questions of whether human actions are ever genuinely selfless, whether there is something in the moral life that transcends biological function, and whether one can sensibly speak of an overall purpose to the course of evolution.Certain to engage scholars, students, and general readers alike, "Evolution and Ethics offers a balanced, levelheaded, constructive approach to an often divisive debate.Contributors: Larry ArnhartChristopher BoehmCraig A. BoydRobert BoydMichael J. ChapmanPhilip ClaytonLoren HaarsmaJohn HareS. Mark HeimDavid C. LahtiThomas Jay OordGregory R. PetersonJoseph PoulshockPeter J. RichersonPhilip A. RolnickHolmes Rolston IIIMichael RuseJeffrey SchlossRene van Woudenberg About the Author Philip Clayton is Ingraham Professor of Theology at theClaremont School of Theology and professor of philosophyand religion at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont,California. He is also the author of Explanation fromPhysics to Philosophy: An Essay in Rationality andReligion (Yale) and the Templeton Prize?winning bookGod and Contemporary Science (Eerdmans).Jeffrey Schloss is Professor of Biology at Westmont Collegein Santa Barbara, California.