Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

I had Loyal Rue for a class I attended at Luther College. He is an absolutely brilliant. One of the greatest teachers I ever had. We had to read this book for his class. The ideas he put forth in this book managed to raise a rather quiet class to have a very lively discussion. His views are both refreshing as well as thought provoking.

Loyal Rue's book reminds me of some of the old history books in my library. We begin at the beginning. In this case, the very beginning. What is life? How did life come to exist? What is consciousness?

When Professor Rue goes so far to ask a physicist friend, "What is matter?" -- he finds that most people, even physicists, don't ask these questions. What is matter? "Matter is what everything is."

Rue is a true philospher. To me, this means he asks basic questions (the basic questions most people don't think to ask) and follows up with answers that offer a new perspective. Rue's answers can feel surprising and feel right at the same time.

I like the surprises in "Everybody's Story" such as "Self-esteem is a wild card." Who would have thought that high self-esteem can lead us to abuse the planet, our resources, and each other? Of course, I'm really radically simplifying this idea, but I wanted to mention it because it is a unique way to look at the dilemmas of the people sharing this planet. (Sharing isn't really the right word, as we haven't been "sharing" very well) If I have lots of ambition and want to succeed, what might that do to the balance of life, especially if the only way for me to succeed is to step on someone else?

The question I have after reading "Everybody's Story" is: What if we take a step further out and view the story that everyone shares from a distance past the limits of scientific beliefs and explanations. For me scientific theories are more stories, more textual and contextual explanations. Science just happens to be the unifying story that most of the people on the planet put their trust in right now.

I think "the universe is made of stories not atoms." (Muriel Rukeyser) The difference between this time in history and the time before is that we really are living on "a small world after all" -- a world that is interconnected for vitality and well-being and completely vulnerable.

The world is also different in that now we may realize that we are story-making and story-believing creatures. That words have power. That we shouldn't believe everything that everyone tells us. That we have choices. That we can keep asking questions. That we should keep asking questions.

I'm not satisfied with the end of the book because it isn't long enough. I wish Professor Rue had pursued his theme further.

I wonder if the author is familiar with the scientific explorations of Rupert Sheldrake and his take on them.