Is nature ever evil?
religion, science, and value
By Willem B. Drees
When we gaze upon the natural world, what do we truly see? Willem B. Drees invites readers into a profound exploration of how we assign meaning and value to the forces that shape our existence.
This thought-provoking work challenges the common assumption that science operates in a purely objective realm, free from moral judgment. Drees reveals how scientists themselves are often moved by the beauty of their discoveries or troubled by the suffering they observe, leading them to seek ways to "improve nature" through technology and medicine. Beyond the laboratory, humans consistently evaluate natural processes through deeply personal lenses, viewing them as cruel or beautiful, hopeful or meaningless.
The central question emerges with striking clarity: Should we accept nature as ultimately good, trusting that all suffering serves a greater evolutionary purpose? Or do we have a responsibility to enhance and improve the natural order through cultural and technological advancement?
Drawing together insights from leading scientists, theologians, and philosophers, this unique examination focuses not on whether religion and science compete or complement each other as explanatory systems, but on something more fundamental: how we determine the moral worth of existence itself. For readers seeking to understand their place within the larger cosmic story, this work offers essential perspectives on one of humanity's most enduring spiritual questions.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Understand spiritual ethics
- ✓ Reconnect with nature spiritually
- ✓ Explore Science
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Nature
- ✓ Explore timeless philosophical wisdom
- ✓ Explore Philosophy of nature
Topics
Details
- Published
- 2003
- Publisher
- Routledge
- ISBN-10
- 0415290600
- Pages
- 341
- Language
- EN
