Genes, Determinism and God
Genes, Determinism and God
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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781316506387
Number of Pages: 392
Published: 10/07/2017
Width: 15.2 cm
Height: 22.7 cm
Over the past centuries the pendulum has constantly swung between an emphasis on the role of either nature or nurture in shaping human destiny, a pendulum often energised by ideological considerations. In recent decades the flourishing of developmental biology, genomics, epigenetics and our increased understanding of neuronal plasticity have all helped to subvert such dichotomous notions. Nevertheless, the media still report the discovery of a gene 'for' this or that behaviour, and the field of behavioural genetics continues to extend its reach into the social sciences, reporting the heritability of such human traits as religiosity and political affiliation. There are many continuing challenges to notions of human freedom and moral responsibility, with consequent implications for social flourishing, the legal system and religious beliefs. In this book, Denis Alexander critically examines these challenges, concluding that genuine free will, often influenced by genetic variation, emerges from an integrated view of human personhood derived from contemporary biology.
'Overall, Genes, Determinism and God is worth reading not just for the detail it provides on developments in genetics, but also for its thought-provoking pointers. Denis Alexander has achieved considerably more than his goal at the start of removing barriers to religious belief based on incorrect views of genetic determinism.' Celia Deane-Drummond, The Times Literary Supplement 'The genetic book of life, it seems, does not in the end offer any shortcuts to the meaning of human existence. Rather, like most sacred texts, it demands careful, patient, sceptical exegesis, which is exactly what Denis Alexander has granted it.' Nick Spencer, The Tablet 'All in all, this is a remarkable and highly informative overview.' David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer 'Denis Alexander brings us a feast of the biology of genetics, layered with legal and philosophical implications and garnished with a dollop of theological considerations.' Barbara Pfeffer Billauer, Metascience 'Anyone who wants to know the current state of scientific research in genetics, and its relevance to difficult issues about human development, including the vexed issue of sexual orientation, will find in this book a masterly and balanced survey. It comes from someone who is well aware of the enormous implications for theology of current research, and, in particular, its relevance to arguments about free will.' Roger Trigg, Theology
