Description
Flipping convention on its head, Eric Dietrich argues that science uncovers awe-inspiring, enduring mysteries, while religion, regarded as the source for such mysteries, is a biological phenomenon. Just like spoken language, Dietrich shows that religion is an evolutionary adaptation. Science is the source of perplexing yet beautiful mysteries, however natural the search for answers may be to human existence. Excellent Beauty undoes our misconception of scientific inquiry as an executioner of beauty, making the case that science has won the battle with religion so thoroughly it can now explain why religion persists. The book also draws deep lessons for human flourishing from the very existence of scientific mysteries. It is these latter wonderful, completely public truths that constitute some strangeness in the proportion, revealing a universe worthy of awe and wonder.
A philosopher and cognitive scientist returns wonder to scientific discovery while bringing religious phenomena down to earth.
About the Author
Eric Dietrich is professor of philosophy at Binghamton University and the founding editor and current editor in chief of the Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Artificial Intelligence. He is the author of numerous papers and several books focusing on cognitive science, consciousness, artificial intelligence, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind.
Reviews
Excellent Beauty boldly breaks the code of silence that keeps coolly rational academics from attempting to link evolution and theology. Dietrich reflects on some of the deepest mysteries of religious thought, but he does so from the viewpoint of a philosopher with deep training in logic and firmly grounded reasoning. -- John Sullins, Sonoma State University This is, quite simply, one of the most eloquent books on religion and science I have read in recent years. Eric Dietrich writes clearly and accessibly, with a touch of humor and a great deal of personality. His book moves fluidly between historically supported arguments and pedagogically minded examples, all presented in a limpid style that will be attractive to the general reader. -- William Egginton, Johns Hopkins University, author of In Defense of Religious Moderation This book is the perfect answer to dogmatic atheism and religious fundamentalism, two dangerous trends in our polarized world. For me, just reading this book became a spiritual experience! Eric Dietrich shows very elegantly how both science and philosophy deepen the mystery of existence and awareness of existence. If you are not perpetually surprised that you exist, your humanity is incomplete. To be fully human is to wonder, to have true humility, gratitude, and reverence for life. This book could get you there. -- Deepak Chopra, author of The Future of God Science, Eric Dietrich claims, is the most open door into profound mystery that human beings have yet invented. Excellent Beauty urges science to wrest control of the discourse of mystery from religions, which have fiercely defended their claim to be the exclusive purveyors of mystery for centuries. The mystery science reveals is not a god who loves us, but an unknowable universe in which we must learn to take care of ourselves. -- Chris Fields, former associate vice provost for research, New Mexico State University
Book Information
ISBN 9780231171021
Author Eric Dietrich
Format Hardback
Page Count 208
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press
A philosopher and cognitive scientist returns wonder to scientific discovery while bringing religious phenomena down to earth.
About the Author
Eric Dietrich is professor of philosophy at Binghamton University and the founding editor and current editor in chief of the Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Artificial Intelligence. He is the author of numerous papers and several books focusing on cognitive science, consciousness, artificial intelligence, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind.
Reviews
Excellent Beauty boldly breaks the code of silence that keeps coolly rational academics from attempting to link evolution and theology. Dietrich reflects on some of the deepest mysteries of religious thought, but he does so from the viewpoint of a philosopher with deep training in logic and firmly grounded reasoning. -- John Sullins, Sonoma State University This is, quite simply, one of the most eloquent books on religion and science I have read in recent years. Eric Dietrich writes clearly and accessibly, with a touch of humor and a great deal of personality. His book moves fluidly between historically supported arguments and pedagogically minded examples, all presented in a limpid style that will be attractive to the general reader. -- William Egginton, Johns Hopkins University, author of In Defense of Religious Moderation This book is the perfect answer to dogmatic atheism and religious fundamentalism, two dangerous trends in our polarized world. For me, just reading this book became a spiritual experience! Eric Dietrich shows very elegantly how both science and philosophy deepen the mystery of existence and awareness of existence. If you are not perpetually surprised that you exist, your humanity is incomplete. To be fully human is to wonder, to have true humility, gratitude, and reverence for life. This book could get you there. -- Deepak Chopra, author of The Future of God Science, Eric Dietrich claims, is the most open door into profound mystery that human beings have yet invented. Excellent Beauty urges science to wrest control of the discourse of mystery from religions, which have fiercely defended their claim to be the exclusive purveyors of mystery for centuries. The mystery science reveals is not a god who loves us, but an unknowable universe in which we must learn to take care of ourselves. -- Chris Fields, former associate vice provost for research, New Mexico State University
Book Information
ISBN 9780231171021
Author Eric Dietrich
Format Hardback
Page Count 208
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press
