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50Whose Evolution? Which Theology?Zygon 35 (2): 221-232. 2000.The importance of scientific conflicts for theology andphilosophy is difficult to judge. In many disputes of significance, prominent scientists can be found on both sides. Profound philosophical and religious implications are sometimes said to be implied by the new theory as well. This article examines the dispute over natural selection between Richard Dawkins and Stephen Jay Gould as a contemporary instance of such a conflict. While both claim that profound philosophical conclusions flow from t…Read more
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49Dancing with Karl PetersZygon 40 (3): 691-700. 2005.Dancing with the Sacred by Karl Peters provides a coherent and at times moving portrait of the religious naturalist position. I highlight three broad issues that are raised by the kind of religious naturalism that Peters develops: (1) the meaning of the term natural, (2) the nature of God in Peters's naturalistic framework, and (3) the question of eschatology. In each area, I believe that Peters's work raises many questions that need to be addressed and also provides openings for further dialogu…Read more
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48The created co‐creator: What it is and is notZygon 39 (4): 827-840. 2004.In this article I briefly assesses Philip Hefner's concept of the created co-creator by considering both what it does and does not claim. Looking at issues of reductionism, biological selfishness, biology and freedom, and environmental ethics, I point out strengths and weaknesses in Hefner's conception of the created co-creator.
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41Theology: Reduction or Autonomy?Zygon 36 (4): 597-614. 2001.Issues of the nature and task of theology remain important to the science‐theology dialogue. This paper lays out a framework for understanding the nature of theology in relation to the other sciences. In particular, I argue that the primary question remains one of autonomy and reduction. If theology is a genuine academic discipline, then it should be an autonomous field with its own subject matter and norms. Wolfhart Pannenberg argues that theology is the science of God, but I suggest that theol…Read more
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39Emergence and SupervenienceTradition and Discovery 29 (3): 23-27. 2002.Philip Clayton has put forth a clear and important position regarding the mind-body relationship in terms of supervenient and emergent realities. While I agree with Clayton on many points, I argue that there are important problems with current literature on supervenience and emergence. In particular, I distinguish between closed system emergence and open system emergence, suggesting that Clayton’s position is closer to the latter than the former.
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31Where Do We Go from Here?Zygon 34 (1): 139-149. 1999.Beginning with the End represents an excellent collection of articles devoted to the thought of Wolfhart Pannenberg. This volume includes many of the most important thinkers in the science‐religion dialogue and shows as well the importance and impact of Pannenberg's theology. This response addresses themes that surface in several of the articles: What is religion? What is science? What is theology? What is God? On some of these themes there is agreement, on others sharp disagreement. The conclus…Read more
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22Empathy, Compassion, Love Perspectives on the Science of MoralityPhilosophy, Theology and the Sciences 2 (1): 1-3. 2015.
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22Can One Love the Distant Other? Empathy, Affiliation, and CosmopolitanismPhilosophy, Theology and the Sciences 2 (1): 4. 2015.
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16Martha C. Nussbaum, Anger and Forgiveness: Resentment, Generosity, JusticeJournal of Moral Philosophy 18 (3): 315-318. 2021.
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14This volume explores the role of both “mere habits” and sophisticated habitus in the formation of moral character and the virtues, incorporating perspectives from philosophy, theology, psychology, and neuroscience.
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14This volume explores the role of both "mere habits" and sophisticated habitus in the formation of moral character and the virtues, incorporating perspectives from philosophy, theology, psychology, and neuroscience.
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12In Praise of Folly? Theology and the UniversityZygon 43 (3): 563-577. 2008.Abstract.To suppose the possibility of dialogue between theology and science is to suppose that theology is an intellectually worthy partner to engage in dialogue with science. The status of theology as a discipline, however, remains contested, one sign of which is the absence of theology from the university. I argue that a healthy theology‐science dialogue would benefit from the presence of theology as an academic discipline in the university. Theology and theologians would benefit from the muc…Read more
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4Do Split Brains Listen to Prozac?Zygon 39 (3): 555-576. 2004.Cognitive science challenges our understandings of self and freedom. In this article, adapted from a chapter in Minding God: Theology and the Cognitive Sciences (Peterson 2003), I review some of the scientific literature with regard to issues of self and freedom. I argue that our sense of self is a construct and heavily dependent on the kind of brain that we have. Furthermore, understanding the issue of freedom requires an understanding of the findings of cognitive science. Human beings are cons…Read more
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Falling Up: Evolution and Original SinIn Michael Ruse (ed.), Philosophy After Darwin: Classic and Contemporary Readings, Princeton University Press. pp. 539-548. 2009.
Areas of Specialization
Experimental Philosophy: Ethics |
Applied Ethics |
Social and Political Philosophy |
Virtue Ethics |