Amazon.com: Religion and Science (Galaxy Books) (9780195002287): Bertrand Russell: Books

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for earlier editions:
"Mr. Russell succeeds in investing the subject with a fresh interest....Even on the points on which one disagrees--and in a book of this type there will necessarily be many--the discussion is always acute and illuminating. Mr. Russell has endeavored to state opposing points of view with fairness."--Henry Hazlitt, The New York Times

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

BERTRAND RUSSELL (1872-1970), a UK-born mathematician, philosopher,and Noble Prize-winner, is regarded as the founder of modern logic. Russell conceived with Alfred North Whitehead a mathematical system of logic based on an abstract analysis of thought. His fights for pacifism and conscientious objection lead him to several stints in prison and frequently interfered with his professional career; however, it also lead to the creation with Jean-Paul Sartre of the “International Court” against war crimes.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

Series: Galaxy Books
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press; First Paperback Edition edition (December 31, 1961)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0195002288
ISBN-13: 978-0195002287
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.5 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,547,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1478 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Atheism
- #26463 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Religious Studies

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars

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37 of 39 people found the following review helpful

Essay on the Historical Conflict Between Religion & Science

By A Customer on February 2, 1998

Format: Paperback

"Religion and Science" provides excellent insight into the historical struggle between religious faith and the scientific pursuit of facts. Russell outlines the differences in methodologies that inevitably lead to conflict between religion and science. He sites various examples of such conflicts including opposition to the heliocentric view of the universe and Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Russell infers throughout how science is superior to religion, at least from a pragmatic standpoint. This is perhaps not a revealing fact to enlightened readers. However, as Russell points out, in every age there are religious adherents and systems that have opposed progressive ideas and technologies made possible by scientific discoveries. Russell makes it clear that the reader should at least be aware of such historical precedence in order to be prepared to handle modern instances of conflict between religion and science.

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68 of 76 people found the following review helpful

a very lucid discussion on science and religion

By bsiu@ing.puc.cl on September 30, 1997

Format: Paperback

Some people say that you must not read what is contrary to your religious beliefs. I advise those people not to read this book, as they will see their beliefs carefully explained, discussed and torn down by Russell. He does not mock the opposite points of view, but he explains them in a very clear fashion and then shows sound arguments to prove they are wrong. Even if you do not agree with his position, you will find the discussion enlightening. Recommended!

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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

Two Titans' Battle is Reviewed by Capable Hands

By M. Friedman on April 26, 2004

Format: Paperback

Quick overview of the centuries long conflict between religion and science. Russell firmly believes that religion has stood in the natural path of science on multiple fronts. Every time religion has been "pushed aside" by science (sometimes violently), man has made tremendous progressive strides. This includes discovering that blood flows through the body and the failure to find the soul within the body, amongst dozens of other examples.
The book's age takes very little away from the book. Russell even acknowledges that the fields of science he speaks about are still progressing and his words about them will one day be less poignant.
Fascinating and quick, I read "S&R" after "The Problems of Philosophy" and "The Conquest of Happiness," but before "Why I Am Not a Christian."

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26 of 31 people found the following review helpful

Religion and Science

By Daniel on February 5, 2003

Format: Paperback

I really enjoyed this book. Basically this is a history book of science and religion and how they have interacted over the history of mankind. Bertrand explains how almost every great scientific finding or revolution is oppressed ...by religion in some way or another. Copernicus, Newton, Galileo, Darwin, Vesalius, Harvey, Simpson, and many other distinguished scholars have all been at least fearful of the reactions of the churches, but also of the general population. Bertrand also goes into detail how the idea of ?soul? has changed through time: ?We not only react to external objects, but we know that we react. The stone, we think, does not know it reacts, but if it does it has ?consciousness.? Here also, on analysis, the difference will be found to be one of degree.? I rate this book with five out of five stars; I enjoyed it and still do enjoy it thoroughly.

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19 of 23 people found the following review helpful

Comments on 2 CD Audio...

By Hans Castorp VINE VOICE on February 24, 2005

Format: Audio CD

Hard to believe that this Book (here in CD Audio Format) was written was back in 1932! Most of it is as current and relevent now as then. The CD is broken down in to several parts, including RELIGION AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD,RELIGION AND DISEASE,RELIGION AND EVOLUTION, RELIGION AND MYSTICISM. Always very polite and a bit understated, the CD begins commenting on Copernicus and Galileo, scientists contradicting the dogma of their times. Then onto Church responses to disease including 1600's Plagues, and Smallpox. The blame was put on demons and devils, not germs aor viruses. His comments on the Smallpox outbreak in 1880's Montreal are worth the price of the CD. Evolution and biology are discussed, and Russll has some interesting thoughts on mysticism. Very worthwhile in this CD format!

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Avoid the audio book, its highly abridged

By David T. on May 14, 2012

Format: Paperback

There are two versions listed here, one is the book and the other is the audio book. I first listened to the audio book and I'd recommend skipping it and going straight to the paperback. While writing this review I re-listened to parts of The Copernican Revolution and in the first 5 pages well over half is missing (including the excellent parts about Luther and Calvin mentioned below). I'm sometimes okay with an abridged audio book (for instance I thought Dawkins's audio abridgment of The Orgin of the Speicies was good and I liked it more than the text. This audio book is not one such case, it cuts out way too much text and often leaves out what I think are the best parts. I'd also recommend anyone who only listened to it to approach the book again.

In this book Russell discusses Religion and Science with some of their historical conflicts. Russell was an atheist and I think one can easily guess who the victor was in any matter where religion and science conflict. Overall compared to some of the new atheist books this one wasn't very harsh on religion, I think at the time Russell was more concerned with the growing regimes in Germany (National Socialism) and Russian Communism. It seemed he was thinking that Christianity was taking a more tolerant and liberal approach, I'm not sure that's still the case.

As for the book itself, while slightly biased, I found it pretty interesting. It starts off with the Copernican revolution and I found the quotes from Calvin and Luther pretty interesting, basically both said that the earth is still and the sun revolves around it, to argue otherwise is to place the opinions of man over scripture.Read more ›

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