Book contents
- Frontmatter
- EXTRACT FROM THE DEED OF TRUST, ESTABLISHING THE MORSE LECTURESHIP
- PREFACE
- Contents
- LECTURE I CONDITIONS OF THE INQUIRY
- LECTURE II EXPERIENCE GATHERED FROM PAST CONFLICTS
- LECTURE III INORGANIC ELEMENTS IN THE UNIVERSE
- LECTURE IV ORGANIZED EXISTENCE. LIFE AND ITS DEVELOPMENT
- LECTURE V RELATIONS OF LOWER AND HIGHER ORGANISMS
- LECTURE VI HIGHER ORGANISMS;—RESEMBLANCES AND CONTRASTS
- LECTURE VII MAN'S PLACE IN THE WORLD
- LECTURE VIII DIVINE INTERPOSITION FOR MORAL GOVERNMENT
- APPENDIX
- Frontmatter
- EXTRACT FROM THE DEED OF TRUST, ESTABLISHING THE MORSE LECTURESHIP
- PREFACE
- Contents
- LECTURE I CONDITIONS OF THE INQUIRY
- LECTURE II EXPERIENCE GATHERED FROM PAST CONFLICTS
- LECTURE III INORGANIC ELEMENTS IN THE UNIVERSE
- LECTURE IV ORGANIZED EXISTENCE. LIFE AND ITS DEVELOPMENT
- LECTURE V RELATIONS OF LOWER AND HIGHER ORGANISMS
- LECTURE VI HIGHER ORGANISMS;—RESEMBLANCES AND CONTRASTS
- LECTURE VII MAN'S PLACE IN THE WORLD
- LECTURE VIII DIVINE INTERPOSITION FOR MORAL GOVERNMENT
- APPENDIX
Summary
The aim of the present volume is to indicate the measure of harmony traceable between recent advances in science, and the fundamental character istics of religious thought, and the extent to which harmony is possible. This attempt has been made in the hope of contributing towards a better understanding of the relative positions of scientists and theologians, thereby aiding the formation of public opinion on questions appearing to involve serious antagonism.
The plan followed is to bring under review the great fields of scientific inquiry, advancing from unorganized existence to Man; to present the most recent results of research in these separate fields, without extending to minute details; as far as possible, to allow scientific observers to state results in their own words; and then to examine carefully the reasonings deduced from ascertained facts, and the bearing of facts and inferences on religious thought.
The general result is that marked modifications of thought concerning the structure and order of the universe have arisen on account of scientific discoveries, to be accepted by theologians, as by all thinkers; that the bearing of these modifications on religious conceptions has been greatly mistaken by many scientific observers; and that it must be held clear by scientists and theologians alike, that while scientific methods are reliable within their own spheres, science can bear no testimony, and can offer no criticism, as to the supernatural, inasmuch as science is only an explanation of ascertained facts by recognition of natural law.
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- The Relations of Science and ReligionThe Morse Lecture, 1880, pp. vii - viiiPublisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009First published in: 1881