Darwin and Catholicism The Past and Present Dynamics of a Cultural Encounter [Paperback]

This coherent collection of original papers marks the 150 year anniversary since the publication of Charles Darwin's Origin of Species (1859). Although the area of evolution-related publications is vast, the area of interaction between Darwinian ideas and specifically Catholic doctrine has received limited attention. This interaction is quite distinct from the one between Darwinism and the Christian tradition in general. Interest in Darwin from the Catholic viewpoint has recently been rekindled.

The major causes of this include: (1) John Paul II's 'Message to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on Evolution' in 1996; (2) the document 'Communion and Stewardship: Human Persons Created in the Image of God' issued in 2002; by the International Theological Commission under the supervision of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the present Pope Benedict XVI (3) Cardinal Christoph Sch??nborn apparent endorsement of Intelligent Design in his New York Times article 'Finding Design in Nature' of July 7, 2005; (4) Pope Benedict XVI's contributions in the recent collection of papersSch??pfung und Evolution (Creation and Evolution), published in Germany in April, 2007.

Responding to this heightened interest, the book offers a valuable collection of work from outstanding Catholic scholars in various fields.

1. Introduction - Louis Caruana

Part 1: HISTORICAL STUDIES

2. From the Origin to Humani Generis: Ireland as a case study - Don O'Leary

3. Darwinism from Humani Generis to the Present - Pawel Kapusta

4. Aquinas and Darwin - F??inche Ryan

5. Teilhard de Chardin: Evolution for a believing scientist. - Fran??ois Euv??
6. Bernard Lonergan's Transformation of the Darwinian Worldview - Patrick Byrne and Frank Budenholzer

Part 2: PHILOSOPHICAL THEMES
7. On Evolution and Intelligent Design - Nicholas Rescher

8. Weak Darwinism - Peter van Inwagen

9. Darwin, EtlS—