Everybody's Story: Wising Up to the Epic of Evolution (Suny Series in Philosophy and Biology) [Paperback]

Loyal D. Rue (Author), Edward Osborne Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 29, 2000 | Series: Suny Series in Philosophy and Biology

In a compelling read for anyone interested in where we came from and where we're going, Everybody's Story offers an exhilarating tour of natural history that illuminates the evolution of matter, life, and consciousness. As old myths, religious stories, and other shared narratives of humankind are increasingly viewed as intellectually implausible and morally irrelevant, they become less likely to fulfill their original purpose-to give people answers and provide a sense of stability and peace in daily life. Loyal Rue restores that imbalance with a new story based on fact. Rue, author of a New York Times Notable Book of 1994, By the Grace of Guile: The Role of Deception in Natural History in Human Affairs, now provides an evolutionary tour recounting our shared "epic of evolution"

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Loyal Rue is Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Luther College. He is the author of Amythia: Crisis in the Natural History of Western Culture and Contemporary Classics in Philosophy of Religion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (February 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791443922
• ISBN-13: 978-0791443927
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incisive--not to miss, December 22, 1999

By 

Philip J. Hefner (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everybody's Story: Wising Up to the Epic of Evolution (Suny Series in Philosophy and Biology) (Paperback)

I don't have time to write at length, but I want to say that this book is another example of Rue's lucid thinking and incisive statement of issues. He captures perfectly the critical need today for re-shaping the basic myths we live by, and he also manages to map one of the most important parts of the territory in which religion and science and interact. Even readers who disagree with Rue's own resolution of the issues will find this book essential reading.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very important book worthy of your time and consideration, September 7, 2001

By 

J. Conant (Kirkland, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everybody's Story: Wising Up to the Epic of Evolution (Suny Series in Philosophy and Biology) (Paperback)

E.O. Wilson recently stated his belief that man's search for spirituality would be one of the major historical episodes in the 21st century. Regarding this, he feels we need to create a new epic based upon the evolution of humanity. Loyal Rue has substantially started us on this path in this very readable and concise book whose ideas I truly wish every person would thoughtfully consider. I can't imagine an open-minded person not finding this book compelling.

Starting with the premise of a "narrative drive" in human nature as the primary mechanism for how we come to terms, if not understanding, with what we observe, philosophy and religious studies professor Loyal Rue sets forth a quite aesthetically pleasing argument that the story of evolution (radiant energy to matter to atoms to molecules to life to consciousness), offers a truthful and spiritually nourishing epic that not only instructs us on "how things are" but also "what things matter." And just so that you understand "everybody's story," he quite succintly lays out the evolutionary epic from the "big bang" on in language and depth that should not intimidate anyone with the most modest scientific literacy.

Explaining that as many of the propositions and explanations offered to us by the traditional "wisdom traditions" that emanated from the Axial period (Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Zorasterism,...) have either not stood up to the light of scientific investigations or no longer comport to the realities of the modern human condition, the author supports his contention that the story of evolution, unlike many of the old "wisdom traditions", has the power to unify all of humanity and strengthen both natural and social systems. (Think of the death and enviromental destruction that has occurred over the centuries under the moral guidance of these old wisdom traditions - it would be hard to do much worse!). And regardless of what explanation you find emotionally or intellectually attractive regarding the creation, the author argues that the story of evolution still stands.

Moral guidance is an essential function of any wisdom tradition. The author shows us just how an objective morality is to be found in the "story of evolution." A morality that I found simple, penetrating, broad in scope, and exceedingly useful to man's future prospects.

I've personally felt that everyone should find a belief system that satisfies their own emotional, spiritual and intellectual needs. I'm not here to proselytize nor do I care what a person chooses as long as it's benign and tolerant (remember, they're "belief", not "knowledge" systems). But if you're more of an epiricist and find what is continually being revealed to us by science (an open and democratic investigative process subject to severe critical review) as more attractive than the old mythologies and religions for explaining "how things are," you're going to really enjoy this book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most keen insight into the relationship between science and religion, March 30, 2006

By 

David J. Wilson (Belleville, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Everybody's Story: Wising Up to the Epic of Evolution (Suny Series in Philosophy and Biology) (Paperback)

As a scientist I have always felt uneasy about the widely accepted position that science and religion should be kept in separate, logic-tight compartments and that science is intrinsically devoid of moral values. Rue's closely reasoned analysis make it clear that this is not the case at all. He argues that the continued well-being of our species depends on the development of a synthesis between science and religion that is sufficiently convincing rationally and sufficiently compelling emotionally to inspire us to turn away from our present course of action--the destruction of our life support system, Planet Earth. As a life-long agnostic, I find his synthesis of science and religion particularly convincing because (1) it leaves room for a fairly wide range of personal beliefs, (2)it also leaves room for the changes in scientific knowledge that the future will surely bring, and (3) it includes a strong focus on ecological morality. Definitely a must-read.