Faith and Wisdom in Science


Book Description

"Can you Count the Clouds?" asks the voice of God from the whirlwind in the stunningly beautiful catalogue of nature-questions from the Old Testament Book of Job. Tom McLeish takes a scientist's reading of this ancient text as a centrepiece to make the case for science as a deeply human and ancient activity, embedded in some of the oldest stories told about human desire to understand the natural world. Drawing on stories from the modern science of chaos and uncertainty alongside medieval, patristic, classical and Biblical sources, Faith and Wisdom in Science challenges much of the current 'science and religion' debate as operating with the wrong assumptions and in the wrong space. Its narrative approach develops a natural critique of the cultural separation of sciences and humanities, suggesting an approach to science, or in its more ancient form natural philosophy - the 'love of wisdom of natural things' - that can draw on theological and cultural roots. Following the theme of pain in human confrontation with nature, it develops a 'Theology of Science', recognising that both scientific and theological worldviews must be 'of' each other, not holding separate domains. Science finds its place within an old story of participative reconciliation with a nature, of which we start ignorant and fearful, but learn to perceive and work with in wisdom. Surprisingly, science becomes a deeply religious activity. There are urgent lessons for education, the political process of decision-making on science and technology, our relationship with the global environment, and the way that both religious and secular communities alike celebrate and govern science.




Wisdom and Wonder


Book Description




Science Of Love


Book Description

Analyses the fundamentals of love, the basic characteristics of existence that must be present for love to be expressed, concluding with the important argument that progress can be made when religion and science work together to both understand and promote love.




Knowledge of Self


Book Description

Do you know who - and what - you are? Do you know who you're meant to be? Do you know how to find the answers to questions like these? Knowledge of Self is the result of a process of self-discovery, but few of us know where to begin when we're ready to start looking deeper. Although self-actualization is the highest of all human needs, it is said that only 5% of people ever attain this goal. In the culture of the Nation of Gods and Earths, commonly known as the Five Percent, students are instructed that they must first learn themselves, then their worlds, and then what they must do in order to transform their world for the better. This often intense process has produced thousands of revolutionary thinkers in otherwise desperate environments, where poverty and hopelessness dominate. Until now, few mainstream publications have captured the brilliant yet practical perspectives of these luminary men and women. Knowledge of Self: A Collection of Writings on the Science of Everything in Life presents the thoughts of Five Percenters, both young and old, male and female, from all over the globe, in their own words. Through essays, poems, and even how-to articles, this anthology presents readers with an accurate portrait of what the Five Percent study and teach, as well as sound direction on how to answer timeless questions like: Who am I, and why am I here? Why is there so much injustice in the world, and what can be done about it? Who is God and where on Earth is he? How do I improve myself without losing myself? Why are people of color in the situations they're in? What can we do about the global problems of racism and poverty?




The Wisdom of Science


Book Description

An examination of the cultural role of science and technology. Attempts to clear away popular misconceptions and give a wider and deeper understanding of the nature of science and its value to society.




Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science


Book Description

A critical revaluation of ancient spiritual systems long ignored or rejected because of their assumed incompatibility with science. Here are Swami Muktananda on the mind, Swami Prajnananda on Karma, Swami Kripananda on the Kundalini, Joseph Chilton Pearce on spiritual development, Jack Kornfield on Buddhism for Americans, Claudio Naranjo on meditation, and much more.




The Scientific Study of Personal Wisdom


Book Description

The rich and diverse contributions to this volume span a wide variety of disciplines, from psychology and philosophy to neuroscience, by some of the most influential scholars in the emerging science of personal wisdom. As such, it is a collection of essential readings and the first publication to integrate both the spiritual and pragmatic dimensions of personal wisdom. The content of the book goes beyond speculative theory to present a wealth of scientific research currently under way in this expanding field. It also describes numerous promising methods now being deployed in the quest for scientific knowledge of the elusive, yet critical, phenomenon of personal wisdom. The book is an excellent introduction to the field for novice researchers as well as a stimulating and enlightening resource for established experts. Its broad appeal makes it a vital addition to the libraries of academics and practitioners in many disciplines, from developmental psychology to gerontology and from philosophy to contemplative religious traditions such as Buddhism.




Science and the Sacred


Book Description

Einstein said the best scientists have always approached science as a sacred activity that could yield "the secrets of the Old One," Ravi Ravindra points out. This eloquent book at once affirms scientific exploration and addresses the failure of science to deal with the inner life. We all want to know why things happen and how we can control certain outcomes; but we also rightly wonder about meaning and purpose: Does the earth need people? What about me personally? What is my place? Why am I here? Coming from the East, this Western physicist offers a rare hybrid view on such topics as: Perception in yoga and physics; The moral responsibility of scientific power; Science as a spiritual path; Healing the soul: truth, love, and God. "Each of us is an artist of our own life," Ravindra says. "Starting from the raw material of our self, we sculpt something which corresponds to our aspirations, our understanding, our skill and sensitivity...This work of transformation is an imperative of our human existence."




Wisdom, Science, and the Scriptures


Book Description

This collection of essays is offered in admiration of and in gratitude for the work of Ernest Charles Lucas. The title of the volume acknowledges Ernest's particular areas of interest and expertise. The word wisdom comes first for two reasons: firstly because the Bible's Wisdom literature is a particular love about which Ernest has published a number of books, and secondly because wisdom is a characteristic of the man. Several of the contributions to this volume pick up the theme of biblical wisdom, while others touch on the practical application of a wisdom shaped by the Scriptures to vital contemporary issues. The second word of the title, science, reflects both Ernest's first career as a research bio-chemist and his interest as a theologian in exploring the relationship between science and faith. This area of interest is reflected in a number of the contributions to this collection, including Ernest's passionate interest in and concern about climate change. The final words of the title are and the Scriptures. Ernest has, at one time or another, taught every part of the Bible and retained a keen interest in the discipline of Biblical Studies. Once again, this is reflected in some of the contributions. There are other aspects to Ernest Lucas and among them is a love of sport, especially cricket. And so the collection ends with a reflection on this wonderful pastime.




Wisdom Or Knowledge?


Book Description

Considers various interactions between science, theology and culture from the viewpoints of philosophy, ethics, ecology, hermeneutics, history, and Eastern Orthodoxy. This volume embodies the variety of perspectives from different cultural backgrounds and reflects the role of culture on the meta-level of writing and reading.