Evolutionary and Molecular Biology

This collection of twenty-two research papers explores the creative interaction between evolutionary and molecular biology philosophy and theology. It is the result of the third of five international research conferences co-sponsored by the Vatican Observatory Rome and the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences Berkeley. The over arching goal of these conferences is to support the engagement of constructive theology with the natural sciences and to investigate the philosophical and theological elements in ongoing theoretical research in the natural sciences. Contents: An extensive introduction (Robert John Russell) two recent statements on evolution and Christian faith by Pope John Paul II and an interpretive essay by the Director of the Observatory George V. Coyne S. J. Section One: Scientific Background-evolutionary and molecular biology (Francisco J Ayala and Camilo J. Cela-Conde) and the possibility of the evolution of extraterrestrial life (Julian Chela-Flores); Section Two: Evolution and Divine Action-philosophical analyses of teleology in light of biology from the perspectives of a scientist (Francisco J. Ayala) and a theologian (Wesley J. Wildman) assessments of the evidence for teleology by scientists (Paul Davies and William R. Stroeger S. J.) and theological arguments on divine action and evolution focusing on special providence (Robert John Russell) and on process theism (Charles Birch); Section Three: Religious Interpretations of Biological Themes-critique of evolution-based arguments for atheism and of science-based religion (George F. R. Ellis) Darwin's relation to natural theology and a feminist perspective on metaphors in evolution (Anne M. Clifford) evolution from a naturalist perspective and the challenge to religion (Willem B. Drees) bicultural evolution and the created co-creator (Philip Hefner) continuity and emergence propensities pain and death in light of evolution and constructive Christology from and Anglican perspective (Arthur Peacocke) original sin and saving grace in light of evolution from a trinitarian perspective (Denis Edwards) divine kenosis and the power of the future from an evolutionary and process perspective (John F. Haught) and a comparison of models of God in light of evolution (Ian G. Barbour); Section Four: Biology Ethics and the Problem of Evil-an evolutionary model of biological and moral altruism (Camilo J. Cela-Conde and Gisele Marty) supervenience as a response to the reduction of Morality to biology (Nancey Murphy) ethical and theological issues raised by gem-line genetic therapy (Ted Peters) and the problems of divine action and theodicy in light of human sinfulness and suffering in nature (Thomas F. Tracy). This series of conferences builds on the initial 1987 Vatican Observatory conference and its resulting publication <i>Physics Philosophy and Theology: A Common Quest for Understanding</i> (1988) and on the previous Jointly-sponsored conferences and their publications <i>Quantum Cosmology and the Laws of Nature</i> (1993) and <i>Chaos and Complexity</i> (1995). Future conferences will focus on scientific topics including the neuroscience's quantum physics and quantum field theory.