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Rocks of Ages: Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life Paperback – February 26, 2002

by Stephen Jay Gould (Author)

70 customer reviews

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Writing with bracing intelligence and clarity, internationally renowned evolutionist and bestselling author Stephen Jay Gould sheds new light on a dilemma that has plagued thinking people since the Renaissance: the rift between science and religion. Instead of choosing them, Gould asks, why not opt for a golden mean that accords dignity and distinction to each realm?

In his distinctively elegant style, Gould offers a lucid, contemporary principle that allows science and religion to coexist peacefully in a position of respectful noninterference. Science defines the natural world; religion our moral world in recognition of their separate spheres of influence. In exploring this thought-provoking concept, Gould delves into the history of science, sketching affecting portraits of scientists and moral leaders wrestling with matters of faith and reason. Stories of seminal figures such as Galileo, Darwin, and Thomas Henry Huxley make vivid his argument that individuals and cultures must cultivate both a life of the spirit and a life of rational inquiry in order to experience the fullness of being human.

In Rocks of Ages, Gould’s passionate humanism, ethical discernment, and erudition are fused to create a dazzling gem of contemporary cultural philosophy.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Writing with bracing intelligence and clarity, internationally renowned evolutionist and bestselling author Stephen Jay Gould sheds new light on a dilemma that has plagued thinking people since the Renaissance: the rift between science and religion. Instead of choosing them, Gould asks, why not opt for a golden mean that accords dignity and distinction to each realm?
In his distinctively elegant style, Gould offers a lucid, contemporary principle that allows science and religion to coexist peacefully in a position of respectful noninterference. Science defines the natural world; religion our moral world in recognition of their separate spheres of influence. In exploring this thought-provoking concept, Gould delves into the history of science, sketching affecting portraits of scientists and moral leaders wrestling with matters of faith and reason. Stories of seminal figures such as Galileo, Darwin, and Thomas Henry Huxley make vivid his argument that individuals and cultures must cultivate both a life of the spirit and a life of rational inquiry in order to experience the fullness of being human.
In "Rocks of Ages, Gould's passionate humanism, ethical discernment, and erudition are fused to create a dazzling gem of contemporary cultural philosophy.

About the Author

“Daring and thought-provoking . . . A lively retelling of the very real conflict between creationism and evolution in America.”
–The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“ILLUMINATING . . . A RICH TAPESTRY OF FACT AND ANECDOTE . . . [Stephen Jay Gould] engages us with evident delight in the subtle dance of language and ideas. . . . Reading it, we feel ourselves in the great tradition of Montaigne and his successors.”
–Los Angeles Times

“ENTERTAINING . . . GOULD MAKES HIS POINTS WITH AUTHORITY, INSIGHT, AND HIS TRADEMARK GOOD HUMOR.”
–The Christian Science Monitor

See all Editorial Reviews

Product details

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (February 26, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780345450401
ISBN-13: 978-0345450401
ASIN: 034545040X
Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.6 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 70 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #260 in Books > Science & Math > Physics > Relativity
- #285 in Books > Reference > Encyclopedias & Subject Guides > Mythology & Folklore
- #300 in Books > Science & Math > Reference

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Busy Guy in Peachtree City

Only a Little Light on an Old Argument

February 13, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The late Stephen Jay Gould was a ground-breaking scientist, and his popular books ("The Panda's Thumb" and
the Flamingo's Smile," for example) are nonpareil. Here, he seems to venture outside his area of expertise. The idea of considering science and religion (in my words, "fact and faith") as separate "magisteria" is interesting, but I'm not sure he made the point. This is an argument that is well developed in "The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, The Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World." Some saw science as a way of validating religion; others saw science as a way of destroying religion. It's an old argument to which Mr. Gould has added but a little light.

4 people found this helpful

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clear, concise, well-reasoned

July 27, 2002

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is typical Gould: direct and forcefully written, with the basic thesis of NOMA (Non-Overlapping MAgisteria, which means that religion and science need to stay out of each other's areas of expertise) clearly stated, well-developed, and defended in many interesting, persuasive, and original ways. His examples are well-chosen, both those illustrating applications and violations of NOMA.
The main targets of his argument are those who persist in imposing religious solutions on scientific questions, though scientists who trespass into areas best served by religion get their share of scolding as well. Gould never descends to invective or ridicule, rather treating his opponents "more in sorrow than in anger." The result is a broadly generous, warm, and highly persuasive work.
I do not think the creationists will be won over, simply because the whole idea of a subject area into which religion should not venture is foreign to their way of thinking. But Gould's target audience is not the convinced creationist but rather the interested but unconvinced layperson trying to figure out the issues.
Those looking for originality of concept will not find it here. As Gould says many times in the book, nothing here is a new idea, though Gould's examples and illustrations are often novel. This is instead a summary and clarification of ideas long taught by thoughtful people in both magisteria, science and religion.

One person found this helpful

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Science and Religion Make Poor Bedfellows

January 5, 2008

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

In this landmark work, Dr. Stephen Jay Gould offers a framework in which one may consider the relationship between science and religion. His thesis is that both subjects fall within NOMA (non overlapping magisteria) and only properly comment upon things within their own bailiwicks. Science and religion aren't even the only two categories of NOMA disciplines. Science is the domain of factual truths and religion, moral truths. Science tells us what we're made of and religion tells us what we mean. NOMA isn't an invention; it's an orthdox (if you'll pardon the term) way of looking at science and religion that's been held by many of the world's greatest thinkers for millenia. (I recall that Gustave Le Bon, a 19th century anti-religionist, correctly observed that science never promised to make us happy. Many great early Jewish and Christian thinkers recognized the creation narratives in Genesis as allegory.) While I can't claim to be a great thinker, NOMA sketches out a structure that I've for decades believed existed, but never attempted to systematize.

Gould provides such a structure and also a geneology for NOMA-type thinking. He also describes some of the problems that occur when disciplines step outside of NOMA. It's pretty well-known the errors that can arise when religion tries to become a science (intellectual repression, factual error), but Gould, an irenic non-religious scientist and famous Darwinist, also demonstrates the dangers of science as religion (eugenics, historical justifications for violence). One of the most interesting and intellectually honest parts of the book is Gould's retelling of the Scopes controversy of the early 20th century and his apologia (sort of) pro Bryant who's normally cast as an ignoramus. Gould shows Bryant as a man who was progressive througout most of his life and made some terrible logical and NOMAic errors with regard to Darwinism probably because he was blinded by what he saw as real, understandable dangers - particularly in his time - stemming from hyper-Darwinian thinking. Finally, Gould demonstrates at the end of the book that nature cannot be relied upon for providing moral models; that's up to us.

Gould has been criticized since the publication of this book (1999) by folks like Richard Dawkins for either not actually believing NOMA or for failing to take into account scientific belief systems. Since Gould passed in 2002 he's not able to directly respond to those criticisms. But I believe the text stands and is vindicated by history and reasonable thinking, and that NOMA accurately describes and limits "rocks of ages." There's no sensible way for science and religion to become bedfellows, but NOMA provides a protocol for arguing at the dinner table. This is easily one of the best 50 books I've ever read. In a year or two after more reflection I may bump it up some. This is required reading for those involved in the science-religion discussion.

4 people found this helpful

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An Almost Self-Evident Principle Well Treated

October 14, 2000

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Steven Gould treats the long-standing problem of the relation between science and religion in this book. The author explores the contemporary principle he calls NOMA, which is an acronym of Non-Overlapping Magisteria. A magisterium represents a domain of authority in teaching. The NOMA principle is that the magisterium of science and that of religion do not overlap, because the two magisteria cover different realms of empirical facts and moral value. This might seem to some readers almost self-evident. Describing the historical and psychological bases extensively, however, Gould elaborates the above concept so deeply and persuasively that even such readers will find the reading of this book rewarding. Especially this is a must read for those who are on either side of the debate of evolution versus creation in education.

20 people found this helpful

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