Book Reviews

S & CB (2001), 13, 69–96 0954–4194 Book Reviews Kim Sterelny and Paul E. Griffiths stimulating. The former section con- Sex and Death: An Introduction to cludes with a discussion of the pros and Philosophy of Biology cons of reductionism, a topic familiar to Chicago: University of Chicago Press, most readers of this journal. The authors 1999. 440pp. pb. $22.00; £17.50. note that the relationship between classi- ISBN 0-226-77304-3. cal Mendelian genetics and molecular genetics is ‘not one in which the new the- This book makes a refreshing change ory explains the old, but one in which the from the plethora of popular science new and old theories represent comple- books written by evolutionary biologists mentary and mutually illuminating ways attempting, with varying degrees of suc- of viewing the same physical cess, to demonstrate the truth about life process’(138). However I would chal- as we know it. These two philosophers of lenge the limitation of such ‘mutually science provide an account of contempo- illuminating ways’ to those that are ‘sci- rary biology which examines the work of entific’ whilst accepting that ‘scientific biologists such as Dawkins, Dennett, theories cannot traffic in apparently Gould and Wilson, as well as a host of miraculous mechanisms’ (139). Having less popular authors, and offer the cri- presented the arguments for defining a tique of informed outsiders. gene as DNA plus its context, the authors conclude that both reductionism and The subject is divided into five sec- anti-reductionism have helped our grow- tions. The first section introduces issues ing understanding of the relationship which will be discussed in detail in sub- between molecular genetics and classical sequent sections and provides an analy- genetics. Molecular genetics is not a sim- sis of the ‘received view’ of evolution. ple extension of biochemistry but incor- Subsequent sections focus on the nature porates insights from cell biology in an and role of genes, the role of the organism understanding of the physical process of and the significance of species, the bigger heredity. picture offered by ecology and the direc- tion of evolution, and finally a focus on The section on human nature traces the evolutionary insights into human nature. application of evolutionary theory to Within each chapter the main text is behaviour through sociobiology and allowed to flow without intrusive cita- more recently the field of evolutionary tions and there is a helpful discussion of psychology. A balanced assessment of texts for further reading at the end of each these fields is offered. The authors con- chapter. Some chapters also include a cede that although some progress has summary before the further reading mate- been made ‘the practical and theoretical rial. The book is written as a textbook for problems that infest this project are far advanced undergraduate students of biol- from being overcome’ (353). ogy and is not a light read. However the features of the layout mentioned above, In conclusion the authors state that together with the thorough coverage of groups, species and organisms cannot be material at each level of the analysis explained away as ‘epiphenomena of would make it accessible to non-biolo- processes at lower levels of biological gists interested in this area of the philos- organisation’ (380). They maintain that ophy of science. there is no convincing argument against the possibility of group selection in some I found the sections on the place of cases. They are therefore critical of an genes and on human nature particularly overemphasis on the reductionist Science & Christian Belief, Vol 13, No. 1 • 69 Book Reviews approach to evolution. This is a much- disavowing organised religion. needed challenge to the dominant view of Dawkins et al. and deserves careful In his second chapter, Jammer turns study by those interested in a detailed from Einstein’s personal attitude to what critique of contemporary evolutionary he has written about religion and its role thought. in human society. The chapter is entitled ‘Einstein’s Philosophy of Religion’ and Andrew Fox is the Methodist Chaplain sets out to be a logical justification of the to Liverpool University and a former attitudes described in the first chapter. I animal physiologist. must confess that I felt rather suspicious of this (re)construction of Einstein’s philosophy of religion. Jammer’s interpreta- tive approach seems to have been to Max Jammer assume that it must always be possible to reconcile apparently contradictory state- Einstein and Religion. Physics and ments. The result is a superhuman degree theology Princeton, NJ: Princeton University of consistency. Frankly I doubt whether Press, 1999, 279pp, hb. £14.50. even someone of Einstein’s stature could achieve such consistency outside his ISBN 0-691-00699-7 own field (and, indeed, his vacillations Everyone with an interest in the relation- about the implications of relativity theory ship between physics and theology will for the nature of time suggest that he did welcome the publication of this volume not always achieve it within his own by the distinguished philosopher of field). That criticism apart, this chapter physics, Max Jammer. In spite of the gen- offers a valuable summary of Einstein’s eral recognition of the importance of articulated views about religion. In par- Einstein’s thought both for modern ticular it explores his lifelong admiration physics and its relationship with religion for Spinoza and sets his well-known this is, as far as I am aware, the first com- determinism, realism and insistence on prehensive account of Einstein’s own the impersonality of God in that context. views on the relationship. The final chapter is devoted to Jammer has organised his material into ‘Einstein’s Physics and Theology.’ Here three main sections. The first of these Jammer moves on from Einstein’s own deals with ‘Einstein’s Religiosity and the views to explore some of the ways in Role of Religion in His Private Life’. As which his contributions to science have the title suggests, this chapter deals with been received by theologians and Einstein’s personal attitude toward reli- philosophers of religion. These explo- gion from childhood until his death. It is rations are organised logically (following a detailed and roughly chronological roughly the order in which the ideas on account in which Jammer documents which they are based appeared within Einstein’s apparently self-contradictory the development of relativity theory) attitude towards religion. On the one rather than chronologically. Among the hand, he had a lifelong aversion to issues tackled are the implications of authority that was expressed in a distaste Einstein’s redefinition of simultaneity for for organised religion (culminating in his our understanding of eternity, determin- request not to be given a Jewish funeral). ism and omniscience; theological uses On the other hand, as a personal response (and abuses) of time dilation; T F to the cosmos, he experienced what can Torrance’s use of mass-energy equiva- only be described as profound religious lence as an exegesis of Incarnation and, feelings. In short, Einstein’s personal reli- more generally, Pannenberg’s assignment gion is shown to be typically late modern of theological significance to Einstein’s – affirming personal spirituality while concept of field. Finally he explores some 70 • Science & Christian Belief, Vol 13, No. 1 Book Reviews of the theological implications of quan- forgiveness and the remaining 8 papers tum mechanics (on the grounds that give a very comprehensive overview of Einstein’s criticisms played a major role our current knowledge about the psy- in shaping its development). Some read- chology and sociology of forgiveness. Not ers may find this final chapter both con- surprisingly it is shown that forgiveness fusing and inconclusive. In part this is is a very complex concept and that for- due to the fact that Jammer distances both giveness can be blocked by a range of Einstein and himself from the discus- social and psychological processes. sions he is reporting. Thus it reflects the The most interesting part of the book is current status of theological efforts to the 3 chapters on how forgiveness and appropriate Einstein’s ideas. reconciliation can be promoted. First it is Jammer has done an excellent job in very clearly argued that forgiveness and bringing together and making accessible reconciliation are two rather different the scattered evidence for Einstein’s things. It is possible to forgive unilater- views about religion. Unfortunately the ally but reconciliation requires efforts work is marred by the extreme length of from both sides. In order for reconcilia- the chapters (Chapter 3 runs to 110 tion to occur the offenders have to pages!) and the complete lack of internal acknowledge their responsibility for the divisions. This makes reading the book a acts that have harmed others. Second it is more daunting task than is necessary. shown through a review of a number of Nevertheless, this is a valuable contribu- intervention studies that it is actually tion to the subject. possible to promote forgiveness and reconciliation through carefully structured Lawrence Osborn is a theologian who therapeutic and social processes, and that has written extensively on the interac- those who forgive do gain measurable tion between Christianity and contem- psychological benefits. porary culture. The chapters in the book clearly show that forgiveness is no longer just some- thing that is advocated by Christianity and other religions, and which is also Everett L. Worthington, Jr. (ed.) more generally believed to be a nice thing Dimensions of Forgiveness – to do. Forgiveness is a specifiable social Psychological Research & Theological and psychological process with concrete Perspectives social and psychological outcomes. Philadephia: Templeton Foundation Press, 1998. 368 pp. hb. $22.95. This analysis of the concept of forgive- ISBN 1-890151-21-1 ness and its research base has important implications in a number of academic Forgiveness is undoubtedly a central con- areas concerned with interactions cept in Christian theology and Christian between people (peace studies, bioethics, life.

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