Rocks of Ages: Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life (Library of Contemporary Thought) - Hardcover

Gould, Stephen Jay

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0345430093 ISBN 13: 9780345430090

Publisher: Ballantine Books Inc., 2001

Synopsis

The nation's leading exponent of Darwinian evolution and author of such best-sellers as Wonderful Life disentangles the perennial tug-of-war between science and religion, expounding a simple principle allowing them to coexist productively.

About this title

Review:

Revered and eminently readable essayist Stephen Jay Gould has once again rendered the complex simple, this time mending the seeming split between the two "Rocks of Ages", science and religion. He quickly, and rightfully, admits that his thesis is not new, but one broadly accepted by many scientists and theologians. Gould begins by suggesting that Darwin has been misconstrued--that while some religious thinkers have used divinity to prove the impossibility of evolution, Darwin would have never done the reverse.

Gould eloquently lays out not "a merely diplomatic solution" to rectify the physical and metaphysical, but "a principled position on moral and intellectual grounds", central to which is the elegant concept of "non-overlapping magisteria". (Gould defines "magisteria" as a "four-bit" word meaning domain of authority in teaching.) Essentially, science and religion can't be unified, but neither should they be in conflict; each has its own discrete magisteria, the natural world belonging exclusively to science and the moral to religion.

Gould's argument is both lucid and convincing as he cites past religious and scientific greats (including a particularly touching section on Darwin himself). Regardless of your persuasions, religious or scientific, Gould holds up his end of the conversation with characteristic respect and intelligence. --Paul Hughes

Review:

"Gould is at his brilliant best... A truly convincing performance" (Guardian)

"Convincingly argued and thought provoking-Gould must rank as one of the leading scientific essayists of his generation and, as ever, he is in total command of his subject matter. He steers a deft route through contentious waters, but manages to retain a humorous edge, that keeps the book both engaging and highly entertaining. Gould provides the literary magic to deliver a light-hearted read" (Irish Times)

"Concise, eloquent and passionate. It is a marvellous work. Gould speaks clear, sound sense, and Rocks of Ages should be required reading not only for scientists and religious people, but for anybody who cares about the quest for meaning" (Independent)

"This marvellous extended essay should have been the real lost book of the New Testament. Gould, arguably our greatest living popular science essayist, has many joyful enthusiasms. Among them are eternity, Charles Darwin and baseball-Gould has such insatiable and infectious enthusiasm for the intellectual challenge and fascination of being a mere speck in a vast universe" (Scotsman)

"Rocks of Ages is easy and enjoyable to read. It contains many charming illustrations and interesting insights" (Sunday Telegraph)

About this edition

• Publisher: Ballantine Books Inc.
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0345430093
• ISBN 13: 9780345430090
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 249