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64+ Works 2,091 Members 22 Reviews

About the Author

Michael Ruse is Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University.
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Series

Works by Michael Ruse

Evolution: The First Four Billion Years (2009) — Editor — 215 copies
Debating Design: From Darwin to DNA (2004) — Editor — 95 copies
Philosophy of Biology (1989) — Author — 79 copies
The Philosophy of Biology (1998) — Editor — 54 copies
On Purpose (2017) 41 copies
Charles Darwin (2008) 34 copies
Complexity and the Arrow of Time (2013) — Editor — 29 copies
Biology and the Foundations of Ethics (1999) — Editor — 20 copies
The Darwinian Paradigm (1989) 19 copies
Philosophy of Biology Today (1633) 14 copies
Simply Darwin (2016) 5 copies
Michael Ruse 1 copy

Associated Works

Darwin (Norton Critical Edition) (1970) — Contributor, some editions — 652 copies
Religion and Science (1935) — Introduction, some editions — 604 copies
A Companion to Ethics (1991) — Contributor — 385 copies
Philosophy of Science: The Central Issues (1998) — Contributor — 298 copies
Evolution and Ethics and Other Essays (1897) — Editor, some editions — 104 copies
The Cambridge Companion to Science and Religion (2010) — Contributor — 61 copies
God & Morality: Four Views (2012) — Contributor — 36 copies
The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Religion (2007) — Contributor, some editions — 26 copies
The Oxford Handbook of Natural Theology (2013) — Contributor — 19 copies
Liberalism for a New Century (2007) — Contributor — 15 copies
The Routledge Companion to Theism (2012) — Contributor — 13 copies
Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay (1853) — Editor, some editions — 12 copies

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recent(ish) thick book about evolution in Name that Book (October 2011)

Reviews

The author attempts to understand why we hate but oddly does not seem to exhibit enough philosophical self-analysis to identify his own biases and prejudices. He finds fault with 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 paraphrases, "our modern skulls house Stone Age minds."

On agriculture, there are a number of academics who offer critiques of the practice. Here are some current scholars who offer critical perspectives on the rise of agriculture and its implications:

1. James C. Scott: Known for his book "Against the Grain," Scott argues that the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agriculture was not necessarily voluntary but often driven by social pressures and coercion. He highlights the potential loss of autonomy and increased inequality associated with the rise of complex civilizations dependent on large-scale farming.

2. Jared Diamond: In "Guns, Germs, and Steel," Diamond analyzes why some societies thrived after adopting agriculture while others did not. He argues that agriculture, while enabling population growth and technological advancements, also increased vulnerability to disease, warfare, and environmental degradation.

3. Vandana Shiva: A prominent ecofeminist scholar, Shiva criticizes the industrialization of agriculture and its negative impacts on biodiversity, soil health, and small-scale farmers. She advocates for sustainable farming practices based on ecological principles and traditional knowledge.

4. David Graeber and David Wengrow: In "The Dawn of Everything," Graeber and Wengrow challenge the traditional narrative that agriculture led directly to cities and social hierarchies. They argue that early civilizations often existed before large-scale farming and that cooperation and mutual aid played a significant role in social organization.

5. Charles C. Mann: Author of "1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created," Mann explores the devastating consequences of European colonization and the introduction of agriculture and invasive species on indigenous populations in the Americas. His work highlights the interconnectedness of environmental exploitation and social injustice.

It's important to note that these scholars offer diverse perspectives and don't necessarily share a unified critique of agriculture. Some emphasize its limitations, while others acknowledge its potential benefits while calling for more sustainable and equitable practices.

An easy target for the author is Donald Trump, to wit, his active libido and physical attraction to women while wanting to bed them down is described as a prejudice against women (pp. 109, 111, 112). If that is the case, then evolutionary biology would be quite different from how we view it currently.

Sexual selection is a mode of natural selection in which members of one biological sex choose mates of the other sex to mate with (intersexual selection), and compete with members of the same sex for access to members of the opposite sex (intrasexual selection). The author delights in the fact that Trump failed in one attempt of sexual conquest but some individuals have greater reproductive success than others within a population, for example because they are more attractive or prefer more attractive partners to produce offspring. Successful males benefit from frequent mating and monopolizing access to one or more fertile females. Females in turn can maximize the return on the energy they invest in reproduction by selecting and mating with the best males. The author would be on sounder ground if he had a moral, cultural, or religious argument to advance but he does not.

Directly after these points the philosopher does address Christian morality; he views 1 Cor. 14: 33-35 as a text relegating women to an inferior status to men or to be in submission. However, interpreting the passage is a complex and nuanced matter within Christian theology. While some may see it as advocating for the subordination of women, others offer alternative interpretations that promote equality and respect. Here are some ways Christian theologians address this question to value women:

Contextual Interpretation:

Historical context: Scholars argue that Paul's words were written to address specific issues within the Corinthian church, such as disruptive behavior during worship. They emphasize that the passage should not be applied universally without considering the historical and cultural context.

Focus on order and decorum: Some interpretations emphasize that Paul's primary concern was maintaining order and decorum during worship, not silencing women altogether. They argue that his instructions aimed to prevent disruptions and ensure a respectful atmosphere for prayer and prophecy.

Focus on Spiritual Gifts and Roles:

Affirmation of women's spiritual gifts: Many theologians point out that Paul elsewhere in his letters affirms women's spiritual gifts and leadership roles within the church (cf. Romans 16:1-2, Philippians 4:2-3). They argue that 1 Corinthians 14 should be interpreted in light of these broader affirmations.

Emphasis on mutual submission: Some interpretations highlight the call for mutual submission in the broader context of Christian community (cf. Ephesians 5:21). They argue that Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 14 should not be understood as one-sided subordination but as a call for mutual respect and submission within the context of worship.

Focus on spiritual equality: Some theologians emphasize the core message of Christian faith – that all believers, regardless of gender, are equally loved and valued by God. They argue that this fundamental principle should guide interpretations of all scripture, including potentially challenging passages like 1 Corinthians 14.

Fortunately for Trump, he is not the source of inequality, for that, according to the author, you need the move to agriculture (p. 114).

The author ascribes the mistaken notion that 45's support came from anti-immigrant hatred. Trump supporters though did not object to immigration but illegal invasion that no sovereign nation would tolerate.

There are a number of potential challenges that countries can face when dealing with large numbers of illegal immigrants. These include:

Economic strain: Illegal immigrants may place a strain on public resources, such as schools, hospitals, and social services. They may also compete with native-born, especially minority workers, for jobs, driving down wages.

Security concerns: Some illegal immigrants may be criminals, and their presence can increase crime rates. They may also be a security risk, as they may be more vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist groups.

By identifying the geographical origin of COVID, China, and calling the malady the "Chinese virus" (p.167), the author criticizes Trump. However, associating maladies with a geographical location is a long-standing practice: Spanish Flu (1918), West Nile Virus (1999): This virus was first isolated in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) (2012): This coronavirus was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012, Zika Virus (2015): This virus was first identified in the Zika Forest in Uganda in 1947, Ebola Virus (1976): This virus was first identified in Yambuku, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1976, Lyme Disease (1975): This tick-borne disease was first identified in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975, and the Chagas Disease (1909): This parasitic disease was first identified in Carlos Chagas, Brazil, in 1909. Since COVID arose in Wuhan, China, in fact more evidence has come to light identifying the origin of the plague in the city.

The author both criticizes Trump's supporters as both comparatively uneducated but laments their relative lack of education. They are the forgotten people that elites in both parties have neglected for decades who saw 45 as their champion. That support would be democracy in action.

There is no logic here but the author ties 45's judicial appointments to American slavery. Most societies, in some form, likely had elements of forced labor or control systems resembling slavery in 1776. This includes regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Large-scale chattel slavery, often with racialized elements, was prevalent in European colonies in the Americas, some parts of Africa, and some Middle Eastern Muslim empires. Slavery was a widespread and deeply ingrained practice in various forms across the globe in 1776. Understanding the complexities and nuances of these diverse systems is crucial for a comprehensive historical understanding. Today, the International Labour Organization estimates that 40.3 million people are in modern slavery today, including 24.9 million in forced labor and 15.4 million in forced marriage. The point of rampant slavery today seems lost on the author's tome about hatred.

The author claims that systemic racism led to the Black Lives Matter movement but BLM's framework is influenced by Critical Race Theory (CRT), which itself has Marxist roots in analyzing systemic oppression based on class and power structures. Critics point to aspects of CRT, like institutional racism and structural inequalities, echoing Marxist concepts of class struggle and societal critique. The author's bias can not account for Mark Fisher, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Rhode Island and founder of BLM Incorporated, who has stated that he "personally" liked Trump before bashing Joe Biden as a "deep disappointment."

I think the book has to be taken with a grain of salt and is more simply reflective of an elite view of deplorables.
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gmicksmith | Dec 16, 2023 |
I'm a big fan of the "Cambridge Companion" series, and find them helpful to bring me up to speed quickly on recent academic thought surrounding major works. This volume is distance from the Cambridge Companion to Darwin, which focuses more on his overall thought, whereas this book focuses just on the Origin.

That being said, this volume does address theological and philosophical implications of Darwin's thought as manifest in the Origin. My two favorite essays were Brooke's "The Origin and the Question of Religion" and Lewens' "The Origin and Philosophy". As several essays in the volume note -- especially the last one by Kohler and Kohler, "The Origin of Species as a Book" -- Darwin's Origin went through several editions, with various edits and editions and corrections with each. Brooke's essay notes "The first changes that he made to his book, however, were to add to, rather than subtract from, references to a Creator. He evidently wished to offer reassurance that his theory did not contravene a sophisticated understanding of what 'creation' might mean" (264). The essays are even-handed in issues of religion and philosophy, and lack the neoatheist bloviating of Richard Dawkins and his ilk.

Interestingly, I purchased this book on amazon.com not once, but twice. The first time, as I was finishing p. 184, I realized that pages 185-186 were completely missing! I was able to return it, and Amazon in fact sent me a replacement before I made my return. The second version was error free (from a pagination perspective).
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RAD66 | Nov 12, 2020 |
I guess I agree with his overall points: without god, meaning is what we make it. There's no obstacle to having a meaning to life without god. We could possibly explain our desire for meaning through a Darwinism lens. And I guess it's a clever title that it's not called The Meaning Of Life. But Ruse is pretty casual about tossing theological claims into the bin, to the point that he nearly seems disinterested in the topic altogether, until his boy Darwin is under attack. Then, his writing musters the energy to engage the audience.

I get that this book is his own Lifetime Achievement Award, and he's mostly collecting his career's thoughts, but at just over two hundred pages, I still could barely finish it. It's pretty unexciting, and I don't feel I learned much. But ironically, his voice on the page is so British, I still want to check out is other stuff. I think I should've started elsewhere. I imagine this would make a good read for those familiar with his other works.
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pmcinern | May 10, 2020 |
A very thought provoking book about two perspectives on war - Christianity and Darwinism. Ruse calls on a vast array of scientists, philosophers and theologians from the 1800's to the present. This is a challenging and detailed book but very worth the effort. The author speaks of his Quaker heritage but also references a vast group of Protestant, Catholic and Fundamentalist Christian thinkers. St Augustine is a major source. In science, of course it starts with Darwin but also delves into a wide variety of scientists over the years to the present. Wonderful research.… (more)
 
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muddyboy | Apr 12, 2020 |

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