Turning images in philosophy, science, and religion : a new book of nature / edited by Charles Taliaferro and Jil Evans.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Taliaferro, Charles.

Evans, Jil.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Naturalism.

Atheism.

Aesthetics.

Philosophy.

Esthetics.

Religion and Science.

Science.

Imagination.

Nature.

Medical Subjects:

Philosophy.

Esthetics.

Religion and Science.

Science.

Imagination.

Nature.

Physical Description:

xi, 256 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2011.

Summary:

"The debate between "new atheists" and religious apologists today is often hostile. Turning Images is a book that sets a new tone by locating the debate between theism and naturalism (most "new atheists" are self-described "naturalists") in the broader context of reflection on imagination and aesthetics. The eleven original essays will be of interest to anyone who is fascinated by the power of imagination and the role of aesthetics in deciding between worldviews or philosophies of nature. Representing a variety of points of view, authors include outstanding philosophers of religion and of science, a distinguished art historian, and a visual artist. Martin Kemp begins the book by looking at D'Arcy Thompson's vision of the natural world, combining poetry and visual images to set the stage for thinking about nature along teleological or non-purposive lines. Geoffrey Gorham then offers an overview and analysis of the images of nature found in early modern science and philosophy. Anthony O'Hear takes up the problem of accounting for the origin of mind or consciousness, highlighting some of the limitations of Darwinian evolutionary biology in terms of values. Dale Jacquette offers a thoroughgoing, naturalistic account of the emergence of intentionality and a unique argument about the emergence of art and the aesthetic appreciation of nature. E.J. Lowe advances some difficulties facing a naturalist approach to mental life. Douglas Hedley offers a cognitive account of the imagination and also advances reasons why naturalism faces deep challenges. Daniel N. Robinson offers a sweeping account of nature and naturalism, historically engaging Aristotle, Kant, Hegel and others. Conor Cunningham provides a take-no-prisoners critique of contemporary naturalism. Gordon Graham investigates the resources of naturalism in accounting for our sense of the sacred. Mark Wynn provides a subtle account of the imagination and perception, suggesting how these may play into the theism - naturalism debate. The book concludes with Jil Evans' reflections on the Galapagos Islands, that key, almost mythic place that became instrumental in shaping Darwin's development of his theory of evolution."--Publisher's website.

Contents:

Introduction / Charles Taliaferro and Jil Evans

"Loving insight" : D'arcy Thompson's Aristotle and the soul in nature / Martin Kemp

Early scientific images of God : Descartes, Hobbes, and Newton / Geoffrey Gorham

Darwinian tensions / anthony O'Hear

Evolutionary emergence on intentionality and imagination / Dale Jacquette

Naturalism, imagination, and the scientific worldview / E. J. Lowe

Homo imaginans and the concursus divinus / Douglas Hedley

Aestehtics, phantasia, and the theistic / Daniel N. Robinson

Naturalism lost : nature regained / Conor Cunningham

The sacred beauty of nature / Gordon Graham

Imaging religious thoughts in the appearance of senesory things / Mark Wynn

Re-imaging the Galapagos / jil Evans.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780199563340

0199563349

OCLC:

714724928