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Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law, and Education (Hardcover)

by Phillip E. Johnson (Author)

3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (47 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Johnson (Darwin on Trial) fires a major salvo in the culture wars with this sweeping critique of the reigning materialist philosophy. According to this UC Berkeley law professor, "naturalism"?the belief that all of reality can ultimately be explained in purely physical terms and that God is merely a projection of human desires?dominates our universities, public schools, sciences and professions. Yet most Americans, he maintains, are?like him?theists, Christian or otherwise, and believe in a supernatural God who created humanity for a purpose. Not always convincingly, he links naturalist assumptions to the pro-choice position on abortion, to Marxism, to popular culture's self-indulgent hedonism, to the ethical relativism of philosopher Richard Rorty and to judicial decisions to ban from schools the teaching of religious viewpoints. Doing battle with evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould, astrophysicist Stephen Hawking and other scientists, Johnson calls for a scientifically informed theology to study the interaction of God and the supernatural with the whole of creation. $30,000 ad/promo; Conservative Book Club main selection; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Johnson (Darwin on Trial, LJ 4/1/91) takes on naturalism, the belief that the material universe is "all there is." Since this is the basic position of all sciences, it has largely become the accepted philosophy of our whole culture. Johnson asserts that naturalism is an unproved metaphysical assumption, presupposed rather than proved by science. As such, it is essentially a religious position. He feels, therefore, that theism should be allowed a respected place in the debate about the nature of reality, since the conclusion will have far-reaching social consequences. A meaningless naturalistic universe differs profoundly from a purposeful, created universe in its implications for law, education, and almost everything else. Johnson does not preach; he reasons effectively and writes clearly. His argument is well worth taking seriously. A well-written book on a difficult subject; recommended for academic and public libraries.?C. Robert Nixon, MLS, Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

Hardcover: 245 pages
Publisher: Intervarsity Pr (August 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0830816100
ISBN-13: 978-0830816101
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds

Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (47 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,112,119 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
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Citations (learn more)

10 books cite this book:

God: The Failed Hypothesis: How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist by Victor J. Stenger on page 43, page 70, and Back Matter
Darwin's Nemesis: Phillip Johnson And the Intelligent Design Movement by William A. Dembski in Back Matter
Faith, God, & Rock 'N' Roll by Mark Joseph in Back Matter
Creation As Science: A Testable Model Approach to End the Creation/evolution Wars by Hugh Ross in Back Matter
Thinking Against the Grain: Developing a Biblical Worldview in a Culture of Myths by N. Allan Moseley in Back Matter

See all 10 books citing this book

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	72% buy the item featured on this page: Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law, and Education 3.3 out of 5 stars (47)
	14% buy Darwin on Trial 3.4 out of 5 stars (157) $10.88
	5% buy Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution 3.4 out of 5 stars (613) $10.55
	5% buy The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism 3.5 out of 5 stars (57) $13.60

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Customer Reviews

47 Reviews

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(15)

Average Customer Review

3.3 out of 5 stars (47 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

112 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A non-Christian comments, January 9, 2000

By	Robert Kirkpatrick (Kumamoto Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law & Education (Paperback)

My doctoral dissertation is an investgation into the beliefs of scientists. Briefly I found that most scientists hold very metaphysical beliefs . When it comes to evolution most of them accept the current materialistic worldview but few of them defend it strongly. It is rather held because nothing else is around.

I started my investigation into Darwinism expecting to gradually understand it better and deepen my confidence in it. Naturally I began with the experts- Dawkins, Gould, Mayr, simpson . To date I have read over 50 books - some very detailed indeed. I have also taught biology at undergraduate level. The opposite has happened , it seems the more I study the more it appears that much of Darwinism, especially the overall materialistic , chance driven worldview seems to be held on faith rather than convincing evidence. Certainly it is a valid viewpoint but I was given to believe that there was little doubt in the matter.

Johnson's book is an enormous pleasure to read. His writing is beautifully lucid. He is honest about his Christian bias and , I feel, he gets right to the heart of the matter. Really this book deserves to be read by everyone. I personally find belief in God eeven less likely than Neo-Darwinism but I admire the way Johnson reveals his faith. I would love to correspond with a man like this - after reading his book I feel he is wise friend indeed.

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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and illuminating, September 3, 1998

By A Customer

I found this book a joy to read. Johnson leads the reader carefully and clearly through his well-reasoned arguments. I now have a heightened awareness of the very real danger of naturalism to science and many areas of Western culture. Rather than succumb to the naturalist mind-set as so many theists have regrettably done, Johnson demonstrates how to stand firm and fight back! If science is defined to exclude God (as it is) then science is limiting itself and may no longer be searching for truth (as it does not).

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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh reality, August 28, 1998

By A Customer

This book is by no means casual bedside reading, but Phillip Johnson is brilliant in bringing to light the basis of naturalistic philosophy and the logical assumptions made by those who practice it. Johnson gives illustrations of how this brand of thought has played itself out in science, law and education.

With a master's background in the hard sciences, I've found a steady mentality through school that evolution is fact and God has no place in science. Phillip Johnson helped me to understand how the logic of evolutionists works and how hollow and circular their reasoning often is. Understanding naturalists' logical assumptions has dispelled my fear of making a sound arguement in favor of intelligent design and seeing through those arguements made by those advancing a naturalistic worldview.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant analysis
This is Johnson at his flat-out brilliant best. The materialist who genuinely wrestles with Johnson's work will have to abandon the quest to wed naturalism to science. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Meyer Outdoors LLC

5.0 out of 5 stars This should be read w. "The trouble with Physics"
In "The trouble with Physics" the author frequently slams christans as illogical and irrational while using terms like "faith on science" etc. Read more

Published 23 months ago by cwf

1.0 out of 5 stars In Praise Of Illogical, Irrational Thought From A Very Bitter Angry Old Man
For years University of California, Berkeley law professor Phillip Johnson has been on a fanatical crusade against what he perceives as the evil aspects of modern American... Read more

Published on May 19, 2007 by John Kwok

5.0 out of 5 stars A Clear Look at the Devastating Consequences of Modernism
This is a must read for parents and those planning on attending college. I smile at the reviewer that says science is based on observable data, while omitting that much of... Read more

Published on May 4, 2007 by Sterling P. Dare

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, insightful analysis
One of the most important books I have read. A masterful discussion of the merits of Theism and Naturalism for the claim to truth and reason. Read more

Published on February 5, 2007 by A. C. Bevan

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent assesment of the perennial struggle between faith and naturalism in society
After reading Desmond Curran's ill-informed review, all I'm left to wonder is whether or not he even bothered to read the book. Read more

Published on January 24, 2007 by Kelly R. Harriger

1.0 out of 5 stars More Christian insecurities and ignorance
Sadly, 1 star is the lowest rating allowed.
A shining example of the utter ignorance of the scientific method exhibited by the majority of the US population. Read more

Published on October 21, 2006 by Desmond Curran

5.0 out of 5 stars How the Establishment Adopted Naturalistic Assumptions to Exclude mention of an Intelligent Designer
In his earlier book, Darwin on Trial, UC Berkeley law professor and former U.S. Supreme Court clerk Phillip Johnson took on the scientific establishment. Read more

Published on June 21, 2006 by Discovery Reviewer

5.0 out of 5 stars The hypocrisy of naturalistic science
Isn't it amazing how many people have written one-star reviews about this book and have not even read it.

Mr. Read more

Published on April 7, 2006 by Enigma

4.0 out of 5 stars Creating apoplectic evolutionists
Unbelievable! If you want a clear picture of the type of pinched "intellectualism" that rules the disciplines addressed by Johnson, check out all the one star reviews of Johnson's... Read more

Published on February 25, 2006 by Neely

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