Science and Religion, 1450-1900: From Copernicus to Darwin

Galileo. Newton. Darwin. These giants are remembered for their great contributions to one of the most important phenomena in world history: science. But what is often forgotten is the profound influence on their lives and works of that other great phenomenon of western culture: Christianity. This book, the first volume in the Greenwood Guides to Science and Religion, explores the many ways in which religion - its ideas, attitudes, practices, and institutions - interacted with science from the beginnings of the Scientific Revolution to the end of the 19th century. Infused with the most up-to-date scholarship, the volume is aimed at the non-specialist audience, explaining in clear language how inextricably linked science and religion have been during most of the last 500 years. While discussing how science and religion occasionally clashed, this volume also explores the positive interactions these two institutions have experienced during this seminal period in Western history. A selection of primary source documents is included to help readers understand the arguments and beliefs of the people of the time, and an annotated bibliography will assist readers in finding further information on the topics.