Science & Its Limits - (Contours of Christian Philosophy) 2nd Edition by Del Ratzsch (Paperback)

About the Book

Now updated to reflect current discussions of intelligent design and postmodern views of science, this book by Del Ratzsch offers readers a thoughtful perspective on current trends and useful advice on how to approach faith and science issues.

Book Synopsis

Science, especially naturalistic science, has come under fire of late. No longer does it command the near universal respect it once held. From the right has come a fresh attack on Darwinism and arguments for intelligent design. From the left postmodern theorists have attacked the very notion of objective truth claims, scientific or otherwise.

Into the fray Del Ratzsch breathes a breath of calm. He asks, What is science? What can it tell us? What can't it tell us? What challenges does it offer to Christian faith? How should a Christian respond?

Originally published under the title Philosophy of Science, this revised volume surveys how views of science have developed and changed over time, especially since the Kuhnian revolution of the 1960s. Now updated to reflect current discussions of intelligent design and postmodern views of science, Science and Its Limits offers readers a thoughtful perspective on contemporary trends and useful advice on how to approach faith and science issues.

Review Quotes

"A first-rate introduction which is also an important contribution to the debate between science and religion."

"Del Ratzsch sets out to develop an account of science that fits well with Christian commitment. He is eminently successful."

About the Author

Del Ratzsch earned a Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Massachusetts. He is professor of philosophy at Calvin College and author of The Philosophy of Science (published by InterVarsity Press in the Contours of Christian Philosophy series), as well as several other books. Much of Ratzsch's work over the last seventeen years at Calvin College has sought to relate science and religion (and more recently creation and evolution) in a way that is philosophically informed, scientifically defensible and theologically meaningful. Although Ratzsch is optimistic that design theory can avoid past mistakes in the creation-evolution controversy, he stresses that fundamental clarifying work remains to be done in this area.