The Shaping of Rationality


Book Description

This book arises out of a deep fascination with the relationship between human intelligence and rationality, and with how our fragile but uniquely human ability to be rational invariably affects our everyday lives as well as our involvement with faith, theology, and the spectacular scientific achievements of our time. After carefully analyzing the notion of rationality and examining how the skill of rationality is being challenged by postmodern culture, J. Wentzel van Huyssteen argues that it is precisely the problem of rationality that holds the key to understanding the complex forces shaping the radically different domains of religion and science today.




Construction and Constraint


Book Description







Problems of Rationality


Book Description

Problems of Rationality is the eagerly awaited fourth volume of Donald Davidson's philosophical writings. From the 1960s until his death in August 2003 Davidson was perhaps the most influential figure in English-language philosophy, and his work has had a profound effect upon the discipline. His unified theory of the interpretation of thought, meaning, and action holds that rationality is a necessary condition for both mind and interpretation. Davidson here develops this theory to illuminate value judgements and how we understand them; to investigate what the conditions are for attributing mental states to an object or creature; and to grapple with the problems presented by thoughts and actions which seem to be irrational. Anyone working on knowledge, mind, and language will find these essays essential reading.







The Evolution of Rationality


Book Description

How can science and religion move together toward a collegial future? J. Wentzel van Huyssteen has spent decades developing an interdisciplinary platform for the fruitful engagement of science and religion. Compiled to celebrate van Huyssteen's 65th birthday, The Evolution of Rationalitygathers a stellar roster of scholars in van Huyssteen's main areas of philosophy, science, and theology. The contributors -- some of them Gifford lecturers and Templeton Prize winners -- offer significant new methodological and material proposals, giving evidence of van Huyssteen's impact on the shape and texture of interdisciplinary conversation itself. Their essays are arranged in three parts: modern and postmodern philosophical challenges to our understanding of rationality scientific, evolutionary perspectives on the nature and development of human rationality in relation to religion religious and theological explorations of the evolution of rationality However, because the authors are all involved in interdisciplinary dialogue, this philosophical-scientific-theological arrangement of chapters is not hard and fast. Virtually every essay engages issues that overlap all three fields, forming an extremely rich blend of thought. A creative interdisciplinary collection written by world-renowned philosophers, scientists, and theologians, The Evolution of Rationality renders fitting tribute to pioneering scholar-mentor J. Wentzel van Huyssteen. Contributors: John Hedley Brooke Delwin Brown Philip Clayton Jean Clottes F. W. Dobbs-Allsopp David Fergusson Niels Henrik Gregersen David Lewis-Williams George Newlands Richard Robert Osmer Arthur Peacocke Kenneth A. Reynhout Holmes Rolston III Michael Ruse Calvin O. Schrag F. LeRon Shults Christopher Southgate Michael L. Spezio Mikael Stenmark Jerome A. Stone Ian Tattersall Roger Trigg Keith Ward Wesley J. Wildman




The Shaping of Rationality


Book Description

This book arises out of a deep fascination with the relationship between human intelligence and rationality, and with how our fragile but uniquely human ability to be rational invariably affects our everyday lives as well as our involvement with faith, theology, and the spectacular scientific achievements of our time. After carefully analyzing the notion of rationality and examining how the skill of rationality is being challenged by postmodern culture, J. Wentzel van Huyssteen argues that it is precisely the problem of rationality that holds the key to understanding the complex forces shaping the radically different domains of religion and science today.




Barth and Rationality


Book Description

This work brings the critically realistic interpretation of Barth's dialectical theology into conversation with the modern dialogue between science and theology. Philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics and logic, and considerations of the problem of rationality raised in the science and theology dialogue are brought to bear upon Barth's theology in an attempt to explicate the rationality of his dialectical method. Its deep and abiding radical nature and character are lifted up, emphasized, and explored. The results of this study are then used to answer some long-standing criticisms of Barth. What emerges are an understanding of how Barth uses philosophy and why he declines to do philosophy. La Montagne opens the way for Barth scholars to enter into the dialogue between theology and science.




God's Action in Nature's World


Book Description

In 1981 Robert John Russell founded what would become the leading center of research at the interface of science and religion, the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences. Focusing on three areas of Russell's work - methodology, cosmology, and divine action in quantum physics - God's Action in Nature's World assesses and celebrates Robert Russell's impact on the discipline of science and religion.




Beyond Rationality


Book Description

The first textbook to present a framework of the Behavioral Political Science paradigm for understanding political decision-making.