The Mind of the Universe: Understanding Science and Religion [Paperback]

Mariano Artigas (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Artigas takes on the ambitious task of building a philosophical "bridge between science and religion" along pragmatic and humanistic lines. A professor of natural science at the University of Navarra (Spain), the author intends this book to be an expanded version of a previous project, and it shows. The leisurely pace and references to a generous collection of authors and arguments give the book an unnecessarily academic tone, considering that the main argument is quite simple and informal. Unlike many bridge-builders attempting to mediate between science and religion, Artigas has little hope that direct "dialogue" is going to accomplish much, barring a major compromise (or confusion) in scientific or religious methodology. He focuses instead on the presuppositions of science, viewed not as metaphysical postulates but as "states of affairs" pragmatically assumed whenever science is done--the sense in which going fishing "presupposes" that there are some fish in the lake. Artigas's discussion of scientific presuppositions turns up some of the usual suspects (an ordered universe, competent human rationality, value commitments to truth and some idea of social improvement through science), but he gives them an unusual treatment by reflecting on how "feedback" from scientific progress informs and vindicates these presuppositions. As portrayed here, the philosophical stance presupposed by science is actually a liberal humanism set in an orderly and apparently purposeful universe, something not unlike the philosophy called for by Pope John Paul II in Fides et Ratio. Coincidence? Perhaps, though as Artigas's mentor says, coincidence may just be God's way of remaining anonymous. (Apr.)

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Templeton Foundation Press (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890151548
• ISBN-13: 978-1890151546
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,646,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inportant step in the dialogue Science-Christianity, November 4, 2000

By 

Rafael Estartús (Piura , Perú) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mind Of The Universe: Understanding Science & Religion (Hardcover)

October 6th, 2000

The book "The Mind of the Universe" is an important step in the dialogue science-christianity. The Templeton Foundation is well-known amongst other things because encourages studies about Science and Christianity. The reading of this book constitutes a challenge, because of its size, the profoundness of its analysis, the previous knowledge that it implies and the detail in which it studies the affirmations made by other authors about the same subject (many of these authors being contemporary and some belonging to past generations). It accepts acceptable remarks made by other authors and delicately criticizes those thoughts, which the author considers as unacceptable or he exposes in better form. He grants nothing neither to science nor Christian faith, or to those fifty or more investigators whose ideas he analyses with deep precision. Everything is explained with the maximum clarity that is possible withouth lacking to the depth. To acknowledge the true value of this book, the two of the quotes of the cover should be read:

"The Mind of the Universe" should be considered not only as an outstanding contribution, but also as an important step towards contemporary dialogue between faith and science." (Cardinal Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture).

"Artigas' book should be read by all of those who are starting to study science, and by those who dedicate themselves to teaching it." (Martin Hewlett, Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, University of Arizona, USA).

The study that Artigas makes about the assumptions (which he prefers to name with more appropiate words) of science, is exhaustive and perhaps final. He keeps distance from Kant's a priori approach, from scientist's prior believes, etc. When someone goes fishing in a lake, he should suppose there are fish in that particular lake. This is an assumption about the fishing activity, which can only be proved through experience. In case of the fisherman should catch some fish, every fish will be proof that will make the assuption certain (and perhaps the assumtion must be modified, if the fish is not the expected brand). Artigas uses this simple comparison to introduce the assumption that there is a certain order in nature, which can be seized by the scientific method. In fact, there are no guarantees that science will be successful. However, each success represents a confirmation and a specification of that order. As well as the assumptions, he also studies the final causes, the value of human knowledge, the connections between science and ethics, the meaning of scientific progress and the involvement of God in creation. The entire work is a succesfull attempt of building bridges between experimental sciences and philosophy, without forgetting science's autonomy, which by no means implies isolation or lack of unity. At the end of the book, Artigas draws very interesting conclusions. Only a personal God and creator can provide the radical foundations of being, of creativity and of values. Neither nature nor human beings are capable of creating in the absolute sense of the word, however, they can be considered creative in an analogical way: in fact, in both cases really new effects can be accomplished. On a natural level, natural creativity fulfils a central role in today's vision of the world. Self-organization implies creativity.

In contrast with the previous ideas, the current epistemology indicates that the creativity is an essential ingredient in the scientific field: we need it every time we formulate a new hypothesis, propose a new experiment, conduct and interpret an experiment, or establish new stipulations. Scientific creativity should adapt itself to restrictions imposed by coherence and experience, essential components of science. Scientific creativity is one of the most marvellous capacities we possess. Experimental science is in continuous progress even though, on pure logical basis, we could never be sure of obtaining real knowledge. We are capable of building over the foundations which if are not completely firm, could be good enough to construct impressing skyscrapers.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A deep and intellectual book..., May 3, 2006

By 

Payman Saghafi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mind of the Universe: Understanding Science and Religion (Paperback)

Mariano Artigas is no idiot. His faith in God is coupled with a deep and passionate desire to make sense of his beliefs.

I respect that. This fact motivated me to give this book its first "star".

Mariano Artigas is not obnoxious, offensive, or sarcastic toward agnostics in his writing. Mr. Artigas simply lays out his arguments, weighs them accordingly, and draws his conclusions.

I respect this too and was motivated to give the book a second star.

Mr. Artigas has a good command of the English language.

This fact prompted me to give the book a third star.

Mr. Artigas discusses some of the strongest arguments in favor of belief in a possible higher being; self-organization of the cosmos and the rational features of the universe are some key examples.

I certainly respect this. The book deserves a fourth star.

Finally, Mr. Artigas does a better job than most apologetics when it comes to countering analytical arguments used by atheists to dissuade belief in higher power. For instance, Artigas doesn't deny that evolutionary processes exist, he is well aware that they do, he simply denies that they can account for all the rational features of the known universe.

This type of argument is far more believable than a complete dismissal of human evolution.

I have to respect this. I gave him his fifth star.

Overall an interesting, intellectual and very deep read. Although there is redundancy, and the book can be unnecessarily complex at times, it does a far better job of addressing controversial aspects of Christian faith than almost any other source out there.

Artigas appears to be the type of guy that you could truly respect both as a man and as a person of spiritual faith.

You may or may not agree with his conclusions, but you have to give him credit for a deep, reasonable and thoughtful perspective.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An erudite, literate, informed presentation, November 8, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mind of the Universe: Understanding Science and Religion (Paperback)

Written by the professor of natural science and dean of Ecclesiastical Faculty at the University of Navarra (Pamplona, Spain), Mariano Artigas' The Mind Of The Universe: Understanding Science And Religion is a unique volume that dares to question the widespread assumption that science and religion are utterly irreconcilable. Examining both the ethical implications of scientific values and the plausibility of naturalistic and theistic viewpoints, The Mind Of The Universe seeks to find a center ground and an ultimate meaning for scientific progress. Highly recommended for students of science/religion reconciliation issues, The Mind Of The Universe is an erudite, literate, informed presentation on matters both physical and spiritual.