PZ Myers on Dawkins/Salon: Why is bridging science and religion "good?"

[BurtWorm]

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/10/dawkins_and_the_religion_bugab.php

The interview is annoying, not because of Dawkins, but because of the interviewer. It leads in with this comment: "Why are we here on earth? To Richard Dawkins, that's a remarkably stupid question. In a heated interview, the famous biologist insists that religion is evil and God might as well be a children's fantasy." It also biases the argument in infuriating ways.

Not surprisingly, these kinds of comments have made Dawkins a lightning rod in the debate over evolution. While he's a hero to those who can't stomach superstition or irrationality, his efforts to link Darwinism to atheism have upset the scientists and philosophers, like Francis Collins and Michael Ruse, who are trying to bridge the gap between science and religion. Yet, surprisingly, some intelligent design advocates have actually welcomed Dawkins' attacks. William Dembski, for instance, says his inflammatory rhetoric helps the I.D. cause by making evolution sound un-Christian.

To the author, bridging a gap between science and religion is apparently a virtue; to me, and I think to Dawkins, it's like trying to couple sugar and shit on our dessert plate. Why should we make an effort to tie a rational, empirical, scientific world view to old foolishness about ghosts and deities? Why should we think Ruse and Collins are helping things, when their books are such dreary crap?

The comment from Dembski furthers the problem. First, Dembski is not a credible source for much of anything; the interviewer might as well have rushed out to get Ronald McDonald's opinion of Dawkins. Second, I regard a creationist's opinion as little more than a self-serving lie tailored to serve his ideology, so the subtext has to be understood when reading it. Of course a creationist like Dembski would love to split off an effective critic from the herd, and would like you to disregard Dawkins. I wonder…does Dembski invite Ruse to ID meetings and to make contributions to ID books because Ruse harms the ID cause? Third, science is un-religious and even anti-religious. It helps the cause of truth to make that conflict explicit; it harms that cause to gloss over and mask the differences, as Ruse and Collins do.

So ignore the interviewer. Read the article for Dawkins' comments, which are clear and strongly stated—not heated. I can say from personal experience now that Dawkins doesn't seem the sort of fellow to be "heated" at all: hospitable and charming are better terms for the man. As for what he says about religion in the interview, I have to agree with him completely.

[charles22]

1. No conflict.

Since religion-Christianity-is based on faith, there really is nothing to be in conflict with in evolution. It seems more a struggle for power, between the church and...rational people.

[charles22]

2. P.S.

Why is there no philosophy section, or general discussion for religion and philosophy. Don't understand the exclusion.

[greyl]

18. There used to be a Philosophy Group here,

but a few months ago it was eliminated because of very little traffic, along with many other groups.
This Religion/Theology Forum is pragmatically a religion and philosophy forum, by inclusion.

edit: p.s. Welcome to DU! :)

[Igel]

3. For an accessible answer, see

the first 50 pages or so of: Willey, Basil. 1934. "The Seventeenth Century Bcakground (The thought of the age in relation to religion and poetry). Doubleday & Co.: Garden City, NJ & New York.

Numerous reprints over the next 20 years.

It examines the nature of explanation, the limits to scientific explanation versus a fairly human desire for more transcendant meaning, and the way these two impulses played out in the 1600s. And, simultaneously, in the 1920s and '30s. (The author was no doubt dead, but the same interplay was observed in the 1960s, '80s, and the present. Turgenev and Dosteyevski dealt with it, as did 20th century French literature.)

[Ron Green]

4. Why is forcing a choice between them good?

Maybe it's part of thoughtful maturity to be able to entertain both rational and irrational views in one's continuing journey to truth.

[immoderate]

5. Have trouble with those terms.

I can't se the value of an "irrational" view. Perhaps "intuitive" is a more useful term. Even theists wouldn't cal themselves irrational. They might even say thet was "bashing."

--IMM

[Ron Green]

8. I understand you can't see the value of an irrational view,

but maybe some people can. I am a successful person with good relationships, but I consider the ability to view something irrationally a valuable tool, if you will, available to me.

This was not true for me 20 years ago. Does it mean I'm "losing it," or giving up in some way, or does it afford me more choices?

"Rational," as I understand it, means operating according to a ratio. Some accepted standard of cause and effect. While I value this ability, I honor the other way of seeing, as well.

[immoderate]

9. You might want to consult a dictionary.

Rational, when it comes to thinking, does not mean anything to do with "ratios." That's math.

irrational: a (1) : not endowed with reason or understanding (2) : lacking usual or normal mental clarity or coherence b : not governed by or according to reason.

I don't think that's what you mean, unless you think psychotic is good. It's a matter of usage. You could be describing a technique in brain-storming, which I've heard referred to as autistic. But that usually provides for a point of departure to inspire unconventional solutions. It's not of much value if reason is not applied. Would you put on your resume that you're an irrational person? Good luck.

I think I know what you mean, but even in the best light, the positive returns on irrationality are very small. It's a good reason for drowning witches though.

--IMM

[BurtWorm]

11. Being rational means using reason.

I can't see any situation in which not using reason--or being irrational--is a clear benefit. In some emergencies, it's true, reason may take too much time. But in that case, intuition is what's called for, not irrationality.

[cyborg_jim]

13. Intuition

Is just reasoning with an incomplete knowledge domain. There are many situations in which an 'ideal' solution may be incredibly hard to arrive at - either because it would be computationally intensive to find or it's simply not possible to have a complete picture of all the information.

It's not irrational in the least - sometimes decisions just have to be made NOW.

[BurtWorm]

12. I don't think it's a question of forcing a choice.

It's a question of not forcing a bridge where one doesn't fit.

[kiahzero]

14. What if the bridge does fit for some?

Should it be torn down because it doesn't fit for everyone?

If you're satisfied with a materialist ontology and it works for you, great. If you're not satisfied with such an ontology because you feel that it is incomplete, that doesn't mean you have to reject empiricism; you can use it as a tool for navigating the profane (in the Elliadic sense) world, while seeing it as an inappropriate method for understanding the sacred.

Of course, this view is somewhat at odds with organized religions with dogmatic rules, but as someone who sees questions of religion as akin to blind men attempting to describe elephants, that's acceptable to me.

[BurtWorm]

15. People can believe whatever they want to believe

But if they believe science will justify their religious beliefs or vice versa, they're wrong, free as they are to believe it.

[kiahzero]

16. Ah, perhaps I misunderstood.

I thought we were talking about religion and science coexisting, not one justifying the other.

[BurtWorm]

17. They coexist whether they want to or not.

But the Templeton prize, which is explicitly offered to those who work to "bridge" science and religion, is not about mere coexistence. It was invented by a wealthy religious man who probably felt that his faith (and others') was threatened by science and who seems to have wanted to subordinate science to theology. It's a ridiculous prize, taken seriously in the media only because Sir John Templeton throws a lot of money at its recipients.

[Bill McBlueState]

6. I doubt anyone will...

but I, too, recommend actually reading the interview with Dawkins. It's pretty interesting.

http://www.salon.com/books/int/2006/10/13/dawkins/

[NAO]

7. 1,000 + pages: "The History of the Warfare Between Science and Theology

in Christendom. (1898)

No conflict, my ass!

A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom
http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/White/

This massive work is in the public domain and is available at several urls. A paper reprint is available from Prometheus books.

CONTENTS
Preface to the Hypertext
Introduction

CHAPTER I. FROM CREATION TO EVOLUTION.

The Visible Universe.
Ancient and medieval views regarding the manner of creation
Regarding the matter of creation
Regarding the time of creation
Regarding the date of creation
Regarding the Creator
Regarding light and darkness
Rise of the conception of an evolution: among the Chaldeans, the Hebrews, the Greeks, the Romans
Its survival through the Middle Ages, despite the disfavour of the Church
Its development in modern times. --- The nebular hypothesis and its struggle with theology
The idea of evolution at last victorious
Our sacred books themselves an illustration of its truth
The true reconciliation of Science and Theology
Theological Teachings Regarding the Animals and Man.
Ancient and medieval representations of the creation of man
Literal acceptance of the book of Genesis by the Christian fathers
By the Reformers
By modern theologians, Catholic and Protestant
Theological reasoning as to the divisions of the animal kingdom
The Physiologus, the Bestiaries, the Exempila
Beginnings of sceptical observation
Development of a scientific method in the study of Nature
Breaking down of the theological theory of creation
Theological and Scientific Theories of an Evolution in Animated Nature.
Ideas of evolution among the ancients
In the early Church
In the medieval Church
Development of these ideas from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries
The work of De Maillet
Of Linneus
Of Buffon
Contributions to the theory of evolution at the close of the eighteenth century
The work of Treviranus and Lamarck
Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire and Cuvier
Development of the theory up to the middle of the nineteenth century
The contributions of Darwin and Wallace
The opposition of Agassiz
The Final Effort of Theology.
Attacks on Darwin and his theories in England
In America
Formation of sacro-scientific organizations to combat the theory of evolution
The attack in France
In Germany
Conversion of Lyell to the theory of evolution
The attack on Darwin's Descent of Man
Difference between this and the former attack
Hostility to Darwinism in America
Change in the tone of the controversy. --- Attempts at compromise
Dying-out of opposition to evolution
Last outbursts of theological hostility
Final victory of evolution

CHAPTER II. GEOGRAPHY
The Form of the Earth.
Primitive conception of the earth as flat
In Chaldea and Egypt
In Persia
Among the Hebrews
Evolution, among the Greeks, of the idea of its sphericity
Opposition of the early Church
Evolution of a sacred theory, drawn from the Bible
Its completion by Cosmas Indicopleustes
Its influence on Christian thought
Survival of the idea of the earth's sphericity --- its acceptance by Isidore and Bede
Its struggle and final victory
The Delineation of the Earth.
Belief of every ancient people that its own central place was the centre of the earth
Hebrew conviction that the earth's centre was at Jerusalem
Acceptance of this view by Christianity
Influence of other Hebrew conceptions --- Gog and Magog, the ``four winds,'' the waters ``on an heap''
The Inhabitants of the Earth.
The idea of antipodes
Its opposition by the Christian Church --- Gregory Nazianzen, Lactantius, Basil, Ambrose, Augustine, Procopius of Gaza, Cosmas, Isidore
Virgil of Salzburg's assertion of it in the eighth century
Its revival by William of Conches and Albert the Great in the thirteenth
Surrender of it by Nicolas d'Oresme
Fate of Peter of Abano and Cecco d' Ascoli
Timidity of Pierre d'Ailly and Tostatus
Theological hindrance of Columbus
Pope Alexander VI's demarcation line
Cautious conservatism.of Gregory Reysch
Magellan and the victory of science
The Size of the Earth.
Scientific attempts at measuring the Earth
The sacred solution of the problem
Fortunate influence of the blunder upon Columbus
The Character of the Earth's Surface.
Servetus and the charge of denying the fertility of Judea
Contrast between the theological and the religious spirit in their effects on science

CHAPTER III. ASTRONOMY.
The Old Sacred Theory of the Universe.
The early Church's conviction of the uselessness of astronomy
The growth of a sacred theory --- Origen, the Gnostics, Philastrius, Cosmas, Isidore
The geocentric, or Ptolemaic, theory its origin, and its acceptance by the Christian world
Development of the new sacred system of astronomy --- the pseudo-Dionysius, Peter Lombard. Thomas Aquinas
Its popularization by Dante
Its details
Its persistence to modern times
The Heliocentric Theory.
Its rise among the Greeks --- Pythagoras, Philolaus, Aristarchus
Its suppression by the charge of blasphemy
Its loss from sight for six hundred Years, then for a thousand
Its revival by Nicholas de Cusa and Nicholas Copernicus
Its toleration as a hypothesis
Its prohibition as soon as Galileo teaches it as a truth
Consequent timidity of scholars --- Acosta, Apian
Protestantism not less zealous in opposition than Catholicism --- Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, Turretin
This opposition especially persistent in England --- Hutchinson, Pike, Horne, Horsley, Forbes, Owen, Wesley
Resulting interferences with freedom of teaching
Giordano Bruno's boldness and his fate
The truth demonstrated by the telescope of Galileo
The War upon Galileo.
Concentration of the war on this new champion
The first attack
Fresh attacks --- Elci, Busaeus, Caccini, Lorini, Bellarmin
Use of epithets
Attempts to entrap Galileo
His summons before the Inquisition at Rome
The injunction to silence, and the condemnation of the theory of the earth's motion,
The work of Copernicus placed on the Index
Galileo's seclusion
Renewed attacks upon Galileo --- Inchofer, Fromundus
Victory of the Church over Galileo
Publication of his Dialogo
Hostility of Pope Urban VIII
Galileo's second trial by the Inquisition
His abjuration
Later persecution of him
Measures to complete the destruction of the Copernican theory
Persecution of Galileo's memory
Protestant hostility to the new astronomy and its champions
Results of the Victory over Galileo.
Rejoicings of churchmen over the victory
The silencing of Descartes
Persecution of Campanella and of Kepler
Persistence and victory of science
Dilemma of the theologians
Vain attempts to postpone the surrender
The Retreat of the Church after its Victory over Galileo.
The easy path for the Protestant theologians
The difficulties of the older Church. --- The papal infallibility fully committed against the Copernican theory
Attempts at evasion --- first plea: that Galileo was condemned not for affirming the earth's motion, but for supporting it from Scripture
Its easy refutation
Second plea: that he was condemned not for heresy, but for contumacy
Folly of this assertion
Third plea: that it was all a quarrel between Aristotelian professors and those favouring the experimental method
Fourth plea: that the condemnation of Galileo was ``provisory''
Fifth plea: that he was no more a victim of Catholics than of Protestants
Efforts to blacken Galileo's character
Efforts to suppress the documents of his trial
Their fruitlessness
Sixth plea: that the popes as popes had never condemned his theory
Its confutation from their own mouths
Abandonment of the contention by honest Catholics
Two efforts at compromise --- Newman, De Bonald
Effect of all this on thinking men
The fault not in Catholicism more than in Protestantism --- not in religion, but in theology

CHAPTER IV. FROM ``SIGNS AND WONDERS'' TO LAW IN THE HEAVENS.
The Theological View.
Early beliefs as to comets, meteors, and eclipses
Their inheritance by Jews and Christians
The belief regarding comets especially harmful as a source of superstitious terror
Its transmission through the Middle Ages
Its culmination under Pope Calixtus III
Beginnings of scepticism --- Coperuicus, Paracelsus, Scaliger
Firmness of theologians, Catholic and Protestant, in its support
Theological Efforts to Crush the Scientific View.
The effort through the universities. --- The effort through the pulpits
Heerbrand at Tubingen and Dieterich at Marburg
Maestlin at Heidelberg
Buttner, Vossius, Torreblanca, Fromundus
Father Augustin de Angelis at Rome
Reinzer at Linz
Celichius at Magdeburg
Conrad Dieterich's sermon at Ulm
Erni and others in Switzerland
Comet doggerel
Echoes from New England --- Danforth, Morton, Increase Mather
The Invasion of Scepticism.
Rationalism of Cotton Mather, and its cause
Blaise de Vigenere
Erastus
Bekker, Lubienitzky, Pierre Petit
Bayle
Fontenelle
The scientific movement beneath all this
Theological Efforts at Compromise. --- The Final Victory of Science.
The admission that some comets are supralunar
Difference between scientific and theological reasoning
Development of the reasoning of Tycho and Kepler --- Cassini, Hevel, Doerfel, Bernouilli, Newton
Completion of the victory by Halley and Clairaut
Survivals of the superstition --- Joseph de Maistre, Forster
Arago's statistics
The theories of Whiston and Burnet, and their influence in Germany
The superstition ended in America by the lectures of Winthrop
Helpful influence of John Wesley
Effects of the victory

CHAPTER V. FROM GENESIS TO GEOLOGY.
Growth of Theological Explanations.
Germs of geological truth among the Greeks and Romans
Attitude of the Church toward science
Geological theories of the early theologians
Attitude of the schoolmen
Contributions of the Arabian schools
Theories of the earlier Protestants
Influence of the revival of learning
Efforts to Suppress the Scientific View.
Revival of scientific methods
Buffon and the Sorbonne
Beringer's treatise on fossils
Protestant opposition to the new geology --- the works of Burnet, Whiston, Wesley, Clark, Watson, Arnold, Cockburn, and others
The First Great Effort of Compromise, based on the Flood of Noah.
The theory that fossils were produced by the Deluge
Its acceptance by both Catholics and Protestants --- Luther, Calmet Burnet, Whiston, Woodward, Mazurier, Torrubia, Increase Mather
Scheuchzer
Voltaire's theory of fossils
Vain efforts of enlightened churchmen in behalf of the scientific view
Steady progress of science --- the work of Cuvier and Brongniart
Granvile Penn's opposition
The defection of Buckland and Lyell to the scientific side
Surrender of the theologians
Remnants of the old belief
Death-blow given to the traditional theory of the Deluge by the discovery of the Chaldean accounts
Results of the theological opposition to science
Final Efforts at Compromise --- The Victory of Science Complete.
Efforts of Carl von Raumer, Wagner, and others
The new testimony of the caves and beds of drift as to the antiquity of man
Gosse's effort to save the literal interpretation of Genesis
Efforts of Continental theologians
Gladstone's attempt at a compromise
Its demolition by Huxley
By Canon Driver
Dean Stanley on the reconciliation of Science and Scripture
CHAPTER VI. THE ANTIQUITY OF MAN, EGYPTOLOGY, AND ASSYRIOLOGY.
The Sacred Chronology.
Two fields in which Science has gained a definite victory over Theology
Opinious of the Church fathers on the antiquity of man
The chronology of Isidore
Of Bede
Of the medieval Jewish scholars
The views of the Reformers on the antiquity of man
Of the Roman Church
Of Archbishop Usher
Influence of Egyptology on the belief in man's antiquity
La Peyrere's theory of the Pre-Adamites
Opposition in England to the new chronology
The New Chronology.
Influence of the new science of Egyptology on biblical chronology
Manetho's history of Egypt and the new chronology derived from it
Evidence of the antiquity of man furnished by the monuments of Egypt
By her art
By her science
By other elements of civilization
By the remains found in the bed of the Nile
Evidence furnished by the study of Assyriology
CHAPTER VII. THE ANTIQUITY OF MAN AND PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGY.
The Thunder-stones.
Early beliefs regarding ``thunder-stones''
Theories of Mercati and Tollius regarding them
Their identification with the implements of prehistoric man
Remains of man found in caverns
Unfavourable influence on scientific activity of the political conditions of the early part of the nineteenth century
Change effected by the French Revolution of to
Rallying of the reactionary clerical influence against science
The Flint Weapons and Implements.
Boucher de Perthes's contributions to the knowledge of prehistoric man
His conclusions confirmed by Lyell and others
Cave explorations of Lartet and Christy
Evidence of man's existence furnished by rude carvings
Cave explorations in the British Islands
Evidence of man's existence in the Drift period
In the early Quaternary and in the Tertiary periods
CHAPTER VIII. THE ``FALL OF MAN'' AND ANTHROPOLOGY.
The two antagonistic views regarding the life of man on the earth
The theory of ``the Fall'' among ancient peoples
Inheritance of this view by the Christian Church
Appearance among the Greeks and Romans of the theory of a rise of man
Its disappearance during the Middle Ages
Its development since the seventeenth century
The first blow at the doctrine of ``the Fall'' comes from geology
Influence of anthropology on the belief in this doctrine
The finding of human skulls in Quaternary deposits
Their significance
Results obtained from the comparative study of the remains of human handiwork
Discovery of human remains in shell-heaps on the shores of the Baltic Sea
In peat-beds
The lake-dwellers
Indications of the upward direction of man's development
Mr. Southall's attack on the theory of man's antiquity
An answer to it
Discovery of prehistoric human remains in Egypt
Hamard's attack on the new scientific conclusions
The survival of prehistoric implements in religious rites
Strength of the argument against the theory of ``the Fall of Man''
CHAPTER IX. THE ``FALL OF MAN'' AND ETHNOLOGY.
The beginnings of the science of Comparative Ethnology
Its testimony to the upward tendency of man from low beginning
Theological efforts to break its force --- De Maistre and De Bonald Whately's attempt
The attempt of the Duke of Argyll
Evidence of man's upward tendency derived from Comparative Philology
From Comparative Literature and Folklore
From Comparative Ethnography
From Biology
CHAPTER X. THE ``FALL OF MAN'' AND HISTORY.
Proof of progress given by the history of art
Proofs from general history
Development of civilization even under unfavourable circumstances to advancement even through catastrophes and the decay of civilizations
Progress not confined to man's material condition
Theological struggle against the new scientific view
Persecution of Prof. Winchell
Of Dr. Woodrow
Other interferences with freedom of teaching
The great harm thus done to religion
Rise of a better spirit
The service rendered to religion by Anthropology
CHAPTER XI. FROM ``THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR'' TO METEOROLOGY.
Growth of a Theological Theory.
The beliefs of classical antiquity regarding storms, thunder, and lightning
Development of a sacred science of meteorology by the fathers of the Church
Theories of Cosmas Indicopleustes
Of Isidore of Seville
Of Bede
Of Rabanus Maurus
Rational views of Honorius of Autun
Orthodox theories of John of San Geminiano
Attempt of Albert the Great to reconcile the speculations of Aristotle with the theological views
The monkish encyclopedists
Theories regarding the rainbow and the causes of storms
Meteorological phenomena attributed to the Almighty
Diabolical Agency in Storms.
Meteorological phenomena attributed to the devil --- ``the prince of the power of the air''
Propagation of this belief by the medieval theologians
Its transmission to both Catholics and Protestants --- Eck, Luther
The great work of Delrio
Guacci's Compendium
The employment of prayer against ``the powers of the air''
Of exorcisms
Of fetiches and processions
Of consecrated church bells
The Agency of Witches.
The fearful results of the witch superstition
Its growth out of the doctrine of evil agency in atmospheric phenomena
Archbishop Agobard's futile attempt to dispel it
Its sanction by the popes
Its support by confessions extracted by torture
Part taken in the persecution by Dominicans and Jesuits
Opponents of the witch theory --- Pomponatius, Paracelsus, Agrippa of Nettesheim
Jean Bodin's defence of the superstition
Fate of Cornelius Loos
Of Dietrich Flade
Efforts of Spee to stem the persecution
His posthumous influence
Upholders of the orthodox view --- Bishop Binsfeld, Remigius
Vain protests of Wier
Persecution of Bekker for opposing the popular belief
Effect of the Reformation in deepening the superstition
The persecution in Great Britain and America
Development of a scientific view of the heavens
Final efforts to revive the old belief
Franklin's Lightning-Rod.
Franklin's experiments witlh the kite
Their effect on the old belief
Efforts at compromise between the scientific and theological theories
Successful use of the lightning-rod
Religious scruples against it in America
In England
In Austria
In Italy
Victory of the scientific theory
This victory exemplified in the case of the church of the monastery of Lerins
In the case of Dr. Moorhouse
In the case of the Missouri droughts
CHAPTER XII. FROM MAGIC TO CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS.
The Supremacy of Magic.
Primitive tendency to belief in magic
The Greek conception of natural laws
Influence of Plato and Aristotle on the growth of science
Effect of the establishment of Christianity on the development of the physical sciences
The revival of thought in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries
Albert the Great
Vincent of Beauvais
Thomas Aquinas
Roger Bacon's beginning of the experimental method brought to nought
The belief that science is futile gives place to the belief that it is dangerous
The two kinds of magic
Rarity of persecution for magic before the Christian era
The Christian theory of devils
Constantine's laws against magic
Increasing terror of magic and witchcraft
Papal enactments against them
Persistence of the belief in magic
Its effect on the development of science
Roger Bacon
Opposition of secular rulers to science
John Baptist Porta
The opposition to scientific societies in italy
In England
The effort to turn all thought from science to religion
The development of mystic theology
Its harmful influence on science
Mixture of theological with scientific speculation
This shown in the case of Melanchthon
In that of Francis Bacon
Theological theory of gases
Growth of a scientific theory
Basil Valentine and his contributions to chemistry
Triumph of the scientific theory
The Triumph of Chemistry and Physics.
New epoch in chemistry begun by Boyle
Attitude of the mob toward science
Effect on science of the reaction following the French Revolution:
Development of chemistry since the middle of the nineteenth century
Development of physics
Modern opposition to science in Catholic countries
Attack on scientific education in France
In England
In Prussia
Revolt against the subordination of education to science
Effect of the International Exhibition of ii at London
Of the endowment of State colleges in America by the Morrill Act of 1862
The results to religion
CHAPTER XIII. FROM MIRACLES TO MEDICINE.
THE EARLY AND SACRED THEORIES OF DISEASE.
Naturalness of the idea of supernatural intervention in causing and curing disease
Prevalence of this idea in ancient civilizations
Beginnings of a scientific theory of medicine
The twofold influence of Christianity on the healing art
GROWTH OF LEGENDS OF HEALING. --- THE LIFE OF XAVIER AS A TYPICAL EXAMPLE.
Growth of legends of miracles about the lives of great benefactors of humanity
Sketch of Xavier's career
Absence of miraculous accounts in his writings and those of his contemporaries
Direct evidence that Xavier wrought no miracles
Growth of legends of miracles as shown in the early biographies of him
As shown in the canonization proceedings
Naturalness of these legends
THE MEDIAEVAL MIRACLES OF HEALING CHECK MEDICAL SCIENCE.
Character of the testimony regarding miracles
Connection of mediaeval with pagan miracles
Their basis of fact
Various kinds of miraculous cures
Atmosphere of supernaturalism thrown about all cures
Influence of this atmosphere on medical science
THE ATTRIBUTION OF DISEASE TO SATANIC INFLUENCE. --- ``PASTORAL MEDICINE'' CHECKS SCIENTIFIC EFFORT.
Theological theory as to the cause of disease
Influence of self-interest on ``pastoral medicine''
Development of fetichism at Cologne and elsewhere
Other developments of fetich cure
THEOLOGICAL OPPOSITION TO ANATOMICAL STUDIES.
Medieval belief in the unlawfulness of meddling with the bodies of the dead
Dissection objected to on the ground that ``the Church abhors the shedding of blood''
The decree of Boniface VIII and its results
NEW BEGINNINGS OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
Galen
Scanty development of medical science in the Church
Among Jews and Mohammedans
Promotion of medical science by various Christian laymen of the Middle Ages
By rare men of science
By various ecclesiastics
THEOLOGICAL DISCOURAGEMENT OF MEDICINE.
Opposition to seeking cure from disease by natural means
Requirement of ecclesiastical advice before undertaking medical treatment
Charge of magic and Mohammedanism against men of science
Effect of ecclesiastical opposition to medicine
The doctrine of signatures
The doctrine of exorcism
Theological opposition to surgery
Development of miracle and fetich cures
Fashion in pious cures
Medicinal properties of sacred places
Theological argument in favour of miraculous cures
Prejudice against Jewish physicians
FETICH CURES UNDER PROTESTANTISM. --- THE ROYAL TOUCH.
Luther's theory of disease
The royal touch
Cures wrought by Charles II
By James II
By William III
By Queen Anne
By Louis XIV
Universal acceptance of these miracles
THE SCIENTIFIC STRUGGLE FOR ANATOMY.
Occasional encouragement of medical science in the Middle Ages
New impulse given by the revival of learning and the age of discovery
Paracelsus and Mundinus
Vesalius, the founder of the modem science of anatomy. --- His career and fate
THEOLOGICAL OPPOSITION TO INOCULATION, VACCINATION, AND THE USE OF ANÆSTHETICS.
Theological opposition to inoculation in Europe
In America
Theological opposition to vaccination
Recent hostility to vaccination in England
In Canada, during the smallpox epidemic
Theological opposition to the use of cocaine
To the use of quinine
Theological opposition to the use of anesthetics
FINAL BREAKING AWAY OF THE THEOLOGICAL THEORY IN MEDICINE.
Changes incorporated in the American Book of Common Prayer
Effect on the theological view of the growing knowledge of the relation between imagination and medicine
Effect of the discoveries in hypnotism
In bacteriology
Relation between ascertained truth and the ``ages of faith''
CHAPTER XIV. FROM FETICH TO HYGIENE.
THE THEOLOGICAL VIEW OF EPIDEMICS AND SANITATION.
The recurrence of great pestilences
Their early ascription to the wrath or malice of unseen powers
Their real cause want of hygienic precaution
Theological apotheosis of filth
Sanction given to the sacred theory of pestilence by Pope Gregory the Great
Modes of propitiating the higher powers
Modes of thwarting the powers of evil
Persecution of the Jews as Satan's emissaries
Persecution of witches as Satan's emissaries
Case of the Untori at Milan
New developments of fetichism. --- The blood of St. Januarius at Naples
Appearance of better methods in Italy. --- In Spain
GRADUAL DECAY OF THEOLOGICAL VIEWS REGARDING SANITATION.
Comparative freedom of England from persecutions for plague-bringing, in spite of her wretched sanitary condition
Aid sought mainly through church services
Effects of the great fire in London
The jail fever
The work of John Howard
Plagues in the American colonies
In France. --- The great plague at Marseilles
Persistence of the old methods in Austria
In Scotland
THE TRIUMPH OF SANITARY SCIENCE.
Difficulty of reconciling the theological theory of pestilences with accumulating facts
Curious approaches to a right theory
The law governing the relation of theology to disease
Recent victories of hygiene in all countries
In England. --- -Chadwick and his fellows
In France
THE RELATION OF SANITARY SCIENCE TO RELIGION.
The process of sanitary science not at the cost of religion
Illustration from the policy of Napoleon III in France
Effect of proper sanitation on epidemics in the United States
Change in the attitude of the Church toward the cause and cure of pestilence
CHAPTER XV. FROM ``DEMONIACAL POSSESSION'' TO INSANITY.
THEOLOGICAL IDEAS OF LUNACY AND ITS TREATMENT.
The struggle for the scientific treatment of the insane
The primitive ascription of insanity to evil spirits
Better Greek and Roman theories --- madness a disease
The Christian Church accepts the demoniacal theory of insanity
Yet for a time uses mild methods for the insane
Growth of the practice of punishing the indwelling demon
Two sources whence better things might have been hoped. --- The reasons of their futility
The growth of exorcism
Use of whipping and torture
The part of art and literature in making vivid to the common mind the idea of diabolic activity
The effects of religious processions as a cure for mental disease
Exorcism of animals possessed of demons
Belief in the transformation of human beings into animals
The doctrine of demoniacal possession in the Reformed Church
BEGINNINGS OF A HEALTHFUL SCEPTICISM.
Rivalry between Catholics and Protestants in the casting out of devils
Increased belief in witchcraft during the period following the
Reformation
Increase of insanity during the witch persecutions
Attitude of physicians toward witchcraft
Religious hallucinations of the insane
Theories as to the modes of diabolic entrance into the possessed
Influence of monastic life on the development of insanity
Protests against the theological view of insanity --- Wier, Montaigue Bekker
Last struggles of the old superstition
THE FINAL STRUGGLE AND VICTORY OF SCIENCE. --- PINEL AND TUKE.
Influence of French philosophy on the belief in demoniacal possession
Reactionary influence of John Wesley
Progress of scientific ideas in Prussia
In Austria
In America
In South Germany
General indifference toward the sufferings of madmen
The beginnings of a more humane treatment
Jean Baptiste Pinel
Improvement in the treatment of the insane in England. --- William Tuke
The place of Pinel and Tuke in history
CHAPTER XVI. FROM DIABOLISM TO HYSTERIA.
THE EPIDEMICS OF ``POSSESSION.''
Survival of the belief in diabolic activity as the cause of such epidemics
Epidemics of hysteria in classical times
In the Middle Ages
The dancing mania
Inability of science during the fifteenth century to cope with such diseases
Cases of possession brought within the scope of medical research during the sixteenth century
Dying-out of this form of mental disease in northern Europe
In Italy
Epidemics of hysteria in the convents
The case of Martha Brossier
Revival in France of belief in diabolic influence
The Ursulines of Loudun and Urbain Grandier
Possession among the Huguenots
In New England. --- The Salem witch persecution
At Paris. --- Alleged miracles at the grave of Archdeacon Paris
In Germany. --- Case of Maria Renata Sanger
More recent outbreaks
BEGINNINGS OF HELPFUL SCEPTICISM.
Outbreaks of hysteria in factories and hospitals
In places of religious excitement
The case at Morzine
Similar cases among Protestants and in Africa
THEOLOGICAL ``RESTATEMENTS.'' --- FINAL TRIUMPH OF THE SCIENTIFIC VIEW AND METHODS.
Successful dealings of medical science with mental diseases
Attempts to give a scientific turn to the theory of diabolic agency in disease
Last great demonstration of the old belief in England
Final triumph of science in the latter half of the present century
Last echoes of the old belief
CHAPTER XVII. FROM BABEL TO COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY.
THE SACRED THEORY IN ITS FIRST FORM.
Difference of the history of Comparative Philology from that of other sciences as regards the attitude of theologians
Curiosity of early man regarding the origin, the primitive form, and the diversity of language
The Hebrew answer to these questions
The legend of the Tower of Babel
The real reason for the building of towers by the Chaldeans and the causes of their ruin
Other legends of a confusion of tongues
Influence upon Christendom of the Hebrew legends
Lucretius's theory of the origin of language
The teachings of the Church fathers on this subject
The controversy as to the divine origin of the Hebrew vowel points
Attitude of the reformers toward this question
Of Catholic scholars. --- Marini
Capellus and his adversaries
The treatise of Danzius
THE SACRED THEORY OF LANGUAGE IN ITS SECOND FORM.
Theological theory that Hebrew was the primitive tongue, divinely revealed
This theory supported by all Christian scholars until the beginning of the eighteenth century
Dissent of Prideaux and Cotton Mather
Apparent strength of the sacred theory of language
BREAKING DOWN OF THE THEOLOGICAL VIEW.
Reason for the Church's ready acceptance of the conclusions of comparative philology
Beginnings of a scientific theory of language
Hottinger
Leibnitz
The collections of Catharine the Great, of Hervas, and of Adelung
Chaotic period in philology between Leibnitz and the beginning of the study of Sanskrit
Illustration from the successive editions of the Encyclopaedia Britannica
TRIUMPH OF THE NEW SCIENCE.
Effect of the discovery of Sanskrit on the old theory
Attempts to discredit the new learning
General acceptance of the new theory
Destruction of the belief that all created things were first named by Adam
Of the belief in the divine origin of letters
Attempts in England to support the old theory of language
Progress of philological science in France
In Germany
In Great Britain
Recent absurd attempts to prove Hebrew the primitive tongue
SUMMARY.
Gradual disappearance of the old theories regarding the origin of speech and writing
Full acceptance of the new theories by all Christian scholars
The result to religion, and to the Bible
CHAPTER XVIII. FROM THE DEAD SEA LEGENDS TO COMPARATIVE MYTHOLOGY.
THE GROWTH OF EXPLANATORY TRANSFORMATION MYTHS.
Growth of myths to account for remarkable appearances in Nature --- mountains. rocks, curiously marked stones, fossils, products of volcanicaction
Myths of the transformation of living beings into natural objects
Development of the science of Comparative Mythology
MEDIÆVAL GROWTH OF THE DEAD SEA LEGENDS.
Description of the Dead Sea
Impression made by its peculiar features on the early dwellers in Palestine
Reasons for selecting the Dead Sea myths for study
Naturalness of the growth of legend regarding the salt region of Usdum
Universal belief in these legends
Concurrent testimony of early and mediaeval writers, Jewish and Christian, respecting the existence of Lot's wife as a ``pillar of salt,'' and of the other wonders of the Dead Sea
Discrepancies in the various accounts and theological explanations of them
Theological arguments respecting the statue of Lot's wife
Growth of the legend in the sixteenth century
POST-REFORMATION CULMINATION OF THE DEAD SEA LEGENDS. --- BEGINNINGS OF A HEALTHFUL SCEPTICISM.
Popularization of the older legends at the Reformation
Growth of new myths among scholars
Signs of scepticism among travellers near the end of the sixteenth century
Effort of Quaresmio to check this tendency
Of Eugene Roger
Of Wedelius
Influence of these teachings
Renewed scepticism --- the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
Efforts of Briemle and Masius in support of the old myths
Their influence
The travels of Mariti and of Volney
Influence of scientific thought on the Dead Sea legends during the eighteenth century
Reactionary efforts of Chateaubriand
Investigations of the naturalist Seetzen
Of Dr. Robinson
The expedition of Lieutenant Lynch
The investigations of De Saulcy
Of the Duc de Luynes. --- Lartet's report
Summary of the investigations of the nineteenth century. --- Ritter's verdict
THEOLOGICAL EFFORTS AT COMPROMISE. --- TRIUMPH OF THE SCIENTIFIC VIEW.
Attempts to reconcile scientific facts with the Dead Sea legends
Van de Velde's investigations of the Dead Sea region
Canon Tristram's
Mgr. Mislin's protests against the growing rationalism
The work of Schaff and Osborn
Acceptance of the scientific view by leaders in the Church
Dr. Geikie's ascription of the myths to the Arabs
Mgr. Haussmann de Wandelburg and.his rejection of the scientific view
Service of theologians to religion in accepting the conclusions of silence in this field
CHAPTER XIX. FROM LEVITICUS TO POLITICAL ECONOMY
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF HOSTILITY TO LOANS AT INTEREST.
Universal belief in the sin of loaning money at interest
The taking of interest among the Greeks and Romans
Opposition of leaders of thought, especially Aristotle
Condemnation of the practice by the Old and New Testaments
By the Church fathers
In ecclesiastical and secular legislation
Exception sometimes made in behalf of the Jews
Hostility of the pulpit
Of the canon law
Evil results of the prohibition of loans at interest
Efforts to induce the Church to change her position
Theological evasions of the rule
Attitude of the Reformers toward the taking of interest
Struggle in England for recognition of the right to accept interest
Invention of a distinction between usury and interest
RETREAT OF THE CHURCH, PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC.
Sir Robert Filmer's attack on the old doctrine
Retreat of the Protestant Church in Holland
In Germany and America
Difficulties in the way of compromise in the Catholic Church
Failure of such attempts in France
Theoretical condemnation of usury in Italy
Disregard of all restrictions in practice
Attempts of Escobar and Liguori to reconcile the taking of interest with the teachings of the Church
Montesquieu's attack on the old theory
Encyclical of Benedict XIV permitting the taking of interest
Similar decision of the Inquisition at Rome
Final retreat of the Catholic Church
Curious dealings of theology with public economy in other fields
CHAPTER XX. FROM THE DIVINE ORACLES TO THE HIGHER CRITICISM.
THE OLDER INTERPRETATION.
Character of the great sacred books of the world
General laws governing the development and influence of sacred literature. --- The law of its origin
Legends concerning the Septuagint
The law of wills and causes
The law of inerrancy
Hostility to the revision of King James's translation of the Bible
The law of unity
Working of these laws seen in the great rabbinical schools
The law of allegorical interpretation
Philo Judaeus
Justin Martyr and Clement of Alexandria
Occult significance of numbers
Origen
Hilary of Poitiers and Jerome
Augustine
Gregory the Great
Vain attempts to check the flood of allegorical interpretations
Bede.
Savonarola
Methods of modern criticism for the first time employed by Lorenzo Valla
Erasmus
Influence of the Reformation on the belief in the infallibility of the sacred books.
Luther and Melanchthon
Development of scholasticism in the Reformed Church
Catholic belief in the inspiration of the Vulgate
Opposition in Russia to the revision of the Slavonic Scriptures
Sir Isaac Newton as a commentator
Scriptural interpretation at the beginning of the eighteenth century
BEGINNINGS OF SCIENTIFIC INTERPRETATION.
Theological beliefs regarding the Pentateuch
The book of Genesis
Doubt thrown on the sacred theory by Aben Ezra
By Carlstadt and Maes
Influence of the discovery that the Isidorian Decretals were forgeries
That the writings ascribed to Dionysius the Areopagite were serious
Hobbes and La Peyrere
Spinoza
Progress of biblical criticism in France.
Richard Simon
LeClerc
Bishop Lowth
Astruc
Eichhorn's application of the ``higher criticism'' to biblical research
Isenbiehl
Herder
Alexander Geddes
Opposition to the higher criticism in Germany
Hupfeld
Vatke and Reuss
Kuenen
Wellhausen
THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF SCIENTIFIC INTERPRETATION.
Progress of the higher criticism in Germany and Holland
Opposition to it in England
At the University of Oxford
Pusey
Bentley
Wolf
Niebuhr and Arnold
Milman
Thirlwall and Grote
The publication of Essays and Reviews, and the storm raised by book
THE CLOSING STRUGGLE.
Colenso's work on the Pentateuch
The persecution of him
Bishop Wilberforce's part in it
Dean Stanley's
Bishop Thirlwall's
Results of Colenso's work
Sanday's Bampton Lectures
Keble College and Lux Mundi
Progress of biblical criticism among the dissenters
In France. --- Renan
In the Roman Catholic Church
The encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII
In America. --- Theodore Parker
Apparent strength of the old theory of inspiration
Real strength of the new movement
VICTORY OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY METHODS.
Confirmation of the conclusions of the higher criticism by Assyriology and Egyptology
Light thrown upon Hebrew religion by the translation of the sacred books of the East
The influence of Persian thought. --- The work of the Rev. Dr. Mills
The influence of Indian thought.
Light thrown by the study of Brahmanism and Buddhism
The work of Fathers Huc and Gabet
Discovery that Buddha himself had been canonized as a Christian saint
Similarity between the ideas and legends of Buddhism and those of Christianity
The application of the higher criticism to the New Testament
The English ``Revised Version'' of Studies on the formation of the canon of Scripture
Recognition of the laws governing its development
Change in the spirit of the controversy over the higher criticism
RECONSTRUCTIVE FORCE OF SCIENTIFIC CRITICISM.
Development of a scientific atmosphere during the last three centuries
Action of modern science in reconstruction of religious truth
Change wrought by it in the conception of a sacred literature
Of the Divine Power
Of man
Of the world at large
Of our Bible

[BurtWorm]

10. That's a mouthful

:wow: