J. van Huyssteen – Encyclopedia of Science and Religion

Автор: J. van Huyssteen
Название книги: Encyclopedia of Science and Religion
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Философия
Страницы: 1070
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

The “Encyclopedia of Science and Religion” addresses all aspects of the dialogue between the sciences and the world's religions. The multidisciplinary 2-vol. set reaches far into the humanities as well as into the physical sciences and technology. In addition, controversial issues such as human cloning and stem cell research are examined along with more traditional questions such as the origins of life, the nature of sin, and the philosophy of science and religion.

The dialogue between science and religion is one of the most prominent and
visible discourses of our time. The complex but enduring relationship between
the sciences and diverse world religions has now transformed itself into what
some are calling a new scholarly field of science and religion. This multifaceted
conversation has developed into a sustained and dynamic discourse with direct
implications for contemporary culture. This discourse affects all religions, in
both their intellectual and social dimensions. It also analyzes, supports, and
constrains the global impact of the sciences of our times.
The Encyclopedia of Science and Religion reflects the breathtaking scope and
pluralistic character of this ongoing dialogue. It is the most comprehensive work
of its kind, and it is designed to be accessible to a wide readership from high
school students to independent researchers and academics. Anyone fascinated by
the ever-evolving impact of the sciences on religious belief in a global context
will find the Encyclopedia a rich resource, for the historical relationship between
science and religion certainly ranges from harmony and mutual support to stormy
periods of intense conflict.
In the last two decades public awareness of and interest in this complex and
often contentious relationship between science and religion has reached an
unprecedented level. Courses in science and religion are now taught worldwide
at a great number of educational institutions. Centers for the study of science and
religion are actively pursuing the challenges and complexities of this dialogue;
local and international societies for science and religion have been, and are
being, established. There is also an exploding number of publications, journals,
newsletters, and papers. Most recently, the science and religion dialogue has
established an impressive new presence on the Internet.
All of these issues, interests, and constituencies are reflected in the Encyclopedia
of Science and Religion. The challenging conversation between the sciences
and religions is highlighted with entries focusing on issues that bear on topics such
as behavioral studies and the human sciences; cognitive science and the neurosciences;
computer science and information technology; physical sciences and
cosmology; ecology; ethics and value theory; evolution; genetics; feminist and
womanist issues; mathematics; methodology; medicine; philosophy; biology; paleontology
and the anthropological sciences; and technology. World religions as varied as Baháhí, Buddhism, Chinese religions, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam,
Judaism, and Shinto are represented with individual entries or clusters of entries.
There are more than four hundred entries in the Encyclopedia of Science and
Religion, all arranged in alphabetical order for easy reference. The entries range
in length from several thousand words on broad topics, to a hundred words or
so for key terms in the various sciences and religions. The editors see this work
primarily as a reflection on the most important issues in the contemporary dialogue
between the sciences and religions. A glance over the list of entries, however,
indicates that the Encyclopedia also covers the critical history of the
relationship between science and religion and offers historical biographies of a
select number of important figures. All entries guide readers to further sources of
information and exhaustive cross-references quickly and easily lead to related
topics. The authority of the Encyclopedia is assured by the experts who have written
the entries. The authors have written so as to make this Encyclopedia accessible
for students in general, for the public at large, and for scholars in a variety
of disciplines. In this way we have created a rich reference resource that is well
suited to diverse library environments.
The frontmatter features a Synoptic Outline, covering the complete scope and
every entry of the Encyclopedia of Science and Religion. The purpose of this Outline
is to make the Encyclopedia even more accessible by grouping all entries into
broad, topical categories. Teachers and readers are offered an organized map of
the whole field of science and religion. In addition, a comprehensive Index provides
readers with yet another means of access to the wealth of information contained
in these two volumes, while an Annotated Bibliography of selected works
introduces readers to those published works currently regarded as indispensable
in the field of science and religion.
The editors would like to thank Ian Barbour, one of the most prominent
scholars in the field, for graciously agreeing to act as a consultant at the initial
planning phase of the Encyclopedia of Science and Religion. His advice was
invaluable to us. We also thank the expert staff at Macmillan Reference USA for
their outstanding support throughout this project. We extend our appreciation to
the following persons at Macmillan: Elly Dickason, former publisher of Macmillan,
for her initiative and encouragement at the beginning of this project; Michael
McGandy, who was a pleasure to work with, and who guided us with unfailing
professionalism and expertise; Hélène Potter, who oversaw the project with great
vision, and was responsible in the end for pulling everything together; and Judy
Culligan for all her hard work and a very professional level of copy editing. Here
at the Princeton Theological Seminary my assistant Ryan Valentine did an outstanding
job. He devoted a great deal of time developing the database that was
critical to the beginning phase of this project and later assisted in the editing process.
He was also responsible for preparing the Synoptic Outline and checking all
cross-references. Taede Smedes did a first rate job of helping us put together the
Annotated Bibliography.
The editors, finally, would like to express our deep gratitude to family members
and loved ones who so consistently acknowledged and supported our work
on this project.
J. WENTZEL VREDE VAN HUYSSTEEN