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Why Religion Is Natural and Science Is Not

by Robert N. McCauley
. 978-0-19982-726-8. Religion
COPY ISBN
The relationship between religion and science has historically been fraught with tension and miscommunication and has raised a host of questions: Is the relationship adversarial, each side entrenched in battle? Or is it complementary? McCauley (director, Ctr. for Mind, Brain, & Culture, Emory Univ.), one of the pioneers of the cognitive science of religion, adds insight to the interdisciplinary discussion in this provocatively titled work. Approaching the study of religion from his cognitive framework, he contends that religion is cognitively natural and intuitive, having existed for thousands of years. In contrast, scientific thinking is a relatively recent human phenomenon, requiring mental work and abstract thought. McCauley draws startling conclusions: the future of science is uncertain, and science poses no threat to the survival of religion.
VERDICT McCauley's work is erudite, precise, well argued, and replete with diagrams, illustrations, and footnotes. This work will challenge readers in both camps. It is especially suited for academic libraries, but should also find a home in public libraries.
Reviewed by Brian Smith McCallum, Arlington Heights Memorial Lib., IL , Jan 01, 2012
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