Evolution and Process Thought

ISBN:

14746700

URL:

http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.cornell.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=17718128&site=ehost-live

Keywords:

CONTINGENCY (Philosophy); EVOLUTION; METAPHYSICS; SCIENCE; THEOLOGY; Complexity; Design; Emergence; Process philosophy; Teleology

Abstract:

Five topics arising from evolutionary biology open new possibilities for fruitful dialogue between scientists and proponents of the process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. These topics (with the main authors whose views are discussed) are: (1) Contingency and Teleology, Stephen Jay Gould, Simon Conway Morris; (2) The Baldwin Effect and Interiority, Bruce Weber and David DePew, Daniel Dennett, Terrence Deacon, Susan Oyama; (3) Complexity and Design, Michael Behe, David Griffin; (4) Hierarchical Levels and Downward Causation, Theo Meyering, Charles Hartshorne; and (5) Self-organization and Emergence, Terrence Deacon, Philip Clayton. In the final section, I look at the relation of science and metaphysics and ask whether the subjectivity postulated by process philosophy is accessible to scientific investigation.

Notes:

J1: Theology & Science; M3: Article; Barbour, Ian G. 1; Affiliations: 1: Emeritus Professor of Physics and Religion and Emeritus Bean Professor of Science, Technology and Society, Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota, USA; Source Information: Jul2005, Vol. 3 Issue 2, p161; Subject Term: CONTINGENCY (Philosophy)Subject Term: EVOLUTIONSubject Term: METAPHYSICSSubject Term: SCIENCESubject Term: THEOLOGY; Author-Supplied Keyword: ComplexityAuthor-Supplied Keyword: DesignAuthor-Supplied Keyword: EmergenceAuthor-Supplied Keyword: Process philosophyAuthor-Supplied Keyword: Teleology; Number of Pages: 18p; DOI: 10.1080/14746700500141671; Document Type: Article