Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law, and Education.Reason in the Balance: The Case against Naturalism in Science, Law, and Education, by Phillip E. Johnson Phillip E. Johnson (born 1940) is a retired UC Berkeley American law professor and author. He became a born-again Christian as a tenured professor. He is considered the father of the intelligent design movement, which criticizes the theory of evolution, and promotes intelligent (InterVarsity, 238 pp., $19.99) THOSE of us committed to living a religious life while participating in the contemporary intellectual world will appreciate Mr. Johnson's new book. The religious aspects of our personality can take a beating in the public square, where faith is often ignored, denigrated, or ridiculed by secularists -- or as Mr. Johnson calls them, Naturalists. Explaining in great detail both the philosophical underpinnings of Naturalism and its deep flaws, he convincingly argues that Naturalism is as much a religion as Judaism or Christianity, if by religion we mean a system based on unchallengeable orthodoxies. Indeed Naturalism may be more "fundamentalist" than many sorts of conventionally defined fundamentalism. The conflict between that faith and traditional religion is leading us toward a culture war. Wars begin when rational discourse breaks down and one side resorts to denigrating den·i·grate tr.v. den·i·grat·ed, den·i·grat·ing, den·i·grates 1. To attack the character or reputation of; speak ill of; defame. 2. the other -- in this case, as "phobic pho·bic adj. Of, relating to, arising from, or having a phobia. n. One who has a phobia. ," "authoritarian," and otherwise dangerous. Only by restoring the search for objective truth, and allowing all viewpoints a fair hearing, can we avoid such a frightening prospect. Despite some shortcomings -- Johnson can be long-winded, and he needs to distinguish more carefully between theism theism (thē`ĭzəm), in theology and philosophy, the belief in a personal God. It is opposed to atheism and agnosticism and is to be distinguished from pantheism and deism (see deists). and Christianity -- Reason in the Balance is an important exegesis exegesis Scholarly interpretation of religious texts, using linguistic, historical, and other methods. In Judaism and Christianity, it has been used extensively in the study of the Bible. Textual criticism tries to establish the accuracy of biblical texts. of the debate between religion and secularism sec·u·lar·ism n. 1. Religious skepticism or indifference. 2. The view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education. . |
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