THE MAJORITY of the educated population in the developed world broadly accept that Science presents us with a picture of reality that is, in its essentials, correct. This generally positive attitude towards Science nevertheless commonly coexists with high levels of ignorance about just what it is that Science has to say about some of the most important questions that trouble thinking men and women. Furthermore, in certain areas of human concern, especially in relation to human values and religious belief, it is frequently assumed that Science has a great deal more to say than in reality it has.
This book offers us an account of what Science does, in fact, ask us to believe about the most fundamental aspects of reality, such as:
- How did the cosmos, and our own special part of it, come to be?
- How did life emerge and how did we arise within it?
- What can we say about the essential nature of the physical world?
- What can be said about the physical basis of consciousness?
The implications of accepting the scientific world view, in particular for religious belief, and for morality, environmental concern, and other human values are then carefully considered.
This book will appeal to readers of popular science, and those with an interest in the implications of Science for the meaning of human existence, as well as students of philosophy, ethics and theology.
