Michael Ruse Bücher

Is science objective, a disinterested reflection of reality, as Karl Popper and his followers believed? Or is it subjective, a social construction, as Thomas Kuhn maintained? This text adds to the argument, using evolutionary theory as a case study

Exploring the Darwinian revolution, this book critically examines its authenticity as a revolution and delves into its implications for epistemology and ethics. It analyzes the nature of Darwin's ideas and their profound effects on scientific thought and moral philosophy, encouraging readers to reflect on the intersection of evolutionary theory and human understanding.

In this Element, Michael Ruse offers a critical analysis of contemporary atheism. He puts special emphasis on the work of so-called 'New Atheists': Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchins, whose views are contrasted with those of Edward O. Wilson.

Focusing on Charles Darwin's enduring impact, Michael Ruse, a leading scholar, offers a reevaluation of Darwin's legacy through a collection of essays. Marking significant anniversaries of Darwin's birth and his seminal work, "On the Origin of Species," Ruse explores the scientific revolution sparked by Darwin's ideas and their relevance to contemporary evolutionary thought. This compilation highlights the evolution of Darwin's influence over the past four decades, making it a critical reflection on his contributions to science and philosophy.

Challenging both traditional and contemporary creationist arguments, this updated edition emphasizes the significance of evolutionary naturalism in the context of modern education, science, and philosophy. With a new preface and final chapter, it reinforces the foundational principles of Darwin's science, positioning itself as a vital resource for understanding and defending evolutionary theory against misconceptions. Michael Ruse's work remains a crucial contribution to the discourse surrounding Darwin's legacy and the ongoing debates in the field.

The book explores the complex relationship between Darwinism and Christianity, questioning whether one can embrace evolutionary theory while adhering to core Christian beliefs. It delves into the philosophical and theological implications of this coexistence, examining the potential for harmony between science and faith. Through various perspectives, it challenges readers to consider how these two seemingly opposing viewpoints can inform and enrich each other.

Why We Hate tackles a pressing issue of both longstanding interest and fresh relevance: why a social species like Homo sapiens should nevertheless be so hateful to itself. We go to war and are prejudiced against our fellow human beings. We discriminate on the basis of nationality, class, race, sexual orientation, religion, and gender. In this book, prominent philosopher Michael Ruse looks at scientific understandings of human hatred, particularly Darwinian evolutionary theory. He finds the secret to this paradox in our tribal evolutionary past, when we moved ten thousand years ago from being hunter-gatherers to agriculturalists--a shift that paved the way for modern civilization. Simply put, as Ruse quotes, "our modern skulls house Stone Age minds."

This book provides a unique discussion of human evolution from a philosophical viewpoint, looking at the facts and interpretations since Charles Darwin's The Descent of Man. Michael Ruse explores such topics as the nature of scientific theories, the relationships between culture and biology, the problem of progress and the extent to which evolutionary issues pose problems for religious beliefs. He identifies these issues, highlighting the problems for morality in a world governed by natural selection. By taking a philosophical viewpoint, the full ethical and moral dimensions of human evolution are examined. This book engages the reader in a thorough discussion of the issues, appealing to students in philosophy, biology and anthropology.

Focusing on the defense of Darwin's theory of evolution, this book provides a clear exposition of his ideas while addressing contemporary debates, such as Creationism and Intelligent Design Theory. Michael Ruse updates the discussion with recent discoveries and presents his own beliefs transparently. The writing is accessible, minimizing jargon, and equips readers with the necessary information and critical tools to understand and evaluate evolutionary theory effectively.

Why do we think ourselves superior to all other animals? Are we right to think so? In this book, Michael Ruse explores these questions in religion, science and philosophy. Some people think that the world is an organism - and that humans, as its highest part, have a natural value (this view appeals particularly to people of religion). Others think that the world is a machine - and that we therefore have responsibility for making our own value judgements (including judgements about ourselves). Ruse provides a compelling analysis of these two rival views and the age-old conflict between them. In a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion, he draws on Darwinism and existentialism to argue that only the view that the world is a machine does justice to our humanity. This new series offers short and personal perspectives by expert thinkers on topics that we all encounter in our everyday lives.