Science vs. religion : the search for a rational approach / Guido O. Perez.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Perez, Guido O., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religion and science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (182 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Algora Publishing, 2015.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Most people look to religion and science (faith and reason) for an explanation of "everything that is," but neither the scientific nor the religious system can actually provide all the answers to life's questions. Is that really what we're looking for?The author examines both science and religion in some detail and from a variety of standpoints. A life-long educator, he indicates many avenues for further reading, so that no one has to simply accept whatever his family or community traditions may have proposed. One sticking point in most discussions of religion vs. science is that few of us really have enough information about both positions - and the myriad hybrid beliefs in between - in order to make a proper evaluation. As a professor of medicine and an avid investigator of these questions, Dr. Guido Perez offers some background and guidance. the author explores the basics of theism and today's largest religions, and gives a solid grounding in the facts and theoretical basis for evolution and the scientific approach to knowledge. He then explores a possible place to stand in, both morally and intellectually grounded, while we puzzle out our existence: a rational belief system that accounts for what we can account for, while recognizing those mysteries and existential questions we humans just can't seem to stop asking. Dr. Perez proposes a rational belief system grounded in natural science and humanism, an approach where morality comes naturally - not because we fear divine punishment but because we inherently understand what is good for humanity.

Contents:

""Table of Contents""; ""Preface""; ""Chapter 1. Introduction""; ""Chapter 2. The Two Major Worldviews ""; ""Supernaturalism""; ""Naturalism ""; ""Chapter 3. The Origin of the Universe""; ""The Beginning ""; ""Cosmic Expansion ""; ""Chapter 4. The Evolution of Life""; ""Origin of Life ""; ""The Theory of Evolution""; ""Creationism and Intelligent Design""; ""Evolutionary Developmental Biology ""; ""Chapter 5. The Tree of Life""; ""The Human Lineage ""; ""Chapter 6. Mind and Brain""; ""Consciousness and the Body�Mind Problem ""; ""Chapter 7. Homeostatic Regulation ""

""Wakefulness and Sleep """"Temperature Regulation""; ""The Stress Response""; ""Energy Balance""; ""Digestion ""; ""Fluid and Electrolyte Balance""; ""Cardiorespiratory Function""; ""Sex and Reproduction""; ""Pleasure and Pain""; ""Drives and Motivations ""; ""Emotions and Feelings ""; ""Memory ""; ""Language and Cognition""; ""Development""; ""Personality ""; ""Chapter 8. Human Nature""; ""Our Dual Nature""; ""Human Violence ""; ""Chapter 9. Morality and Free Will""; ""Morality ""; ""Free Will ""; ""Chapter 10. Existential Concerns""; ""Death ""; ""Euthanasia""; ""Abortion""

""Animal Rights""""War ""; ""Prison and Capital Punishment""; ""Meaning and Purpose ""; ""Freedom and Autonomy""; ""Insecurity""; ""Irrationality""; ""Selfhood ""; ""Addictions ""; ""Shame ""; ""Anxiety""; ""Boredom and Depression""; ""Self-Deception ""; ""Prejudice ""; ""Randomness ""; ""Chapter 11. Religion and Its Shortcomings""; ""Doubts about the Veracity of Scripture""; ""The Problem of Evil""; ""Religion in the United States ""; ""Chapter 12. Science and Its Limitations""; ""Truth and Knowledge""; ""Realism ""; ""Determinism ""; ""Reductionism""; ""Chapter 13. False Dilemmas""

""Chapter 14. A Rational Belief System """"Agnosticism ""; ""Methodological Naturalism ""; ""Humanism ""; ""Chapter 15. Conclusion""; ""References""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-62894-107-3