Philosophy, Science and Religion for Everyone

Book Details

• Publisher: Routledge

• Author: Duncan Pritchard

• Language: English

• Edition: 1

• ISBN: 9781138234154

• Pages: 180

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches

About The Book

Philosophy, Science and Religion for Everyone by Duncan Pritchard is a thoughtful and accessible exploration of how three of the most profound domains of human inquiry—philosophy, science, and religion—interact, challenge, and inform one another. This concise yet powerful volume invites readers into the heart of some of the most enduring questions about truth, belief, and existence.

Structured around key themes, the book begins with Foundational Issues, asking why the science-and-religion dialogue matters and whether scientific claims can align with truth, particularly in debates around evolution and intelligent design. The section on Faith and Rationality explores whether faith can be rational, the nuanced relationship between theism and atheism, and the philosophical challenges posed by God's apparent hiddenness.

In Faith and Science, Pritchard delves into the tension between religious belief and scientific explanation, examining topics like the origin of the universe, the reconciliation of faith and physics, and whether neuroscience undermines spiritual convictions. It also addresses the controversial divide between creationism and evolutionary biology, clarifying what distinguishes legitimate science from pseudoscience.

The final section, Practical Implications, reflects on how religious fundamentalism is perceived, the ethical consequences of the science-religion debate, and whether logic and religion can coexist harmoniously.

Designed to complement the University of Edinburgh’s popular Philosophy, Science and Religion MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) available on Coursera, this book is ideal for students, educators, and anyone curious about the intellectual crossroads of faith, scientific inquiry, and philosophical reasoning. Clear, engaging, and deeply relevant, it serves as a perfect entry point into this fascinating interdisciplinary field.