Essays
This is a list of links to essays that I have from time to time posted on this site. These are all blog posts, but by an “essay” I mean a post that deals with an issue at somewhat greater length, and in a more academic style, than the average.
Does the universe suggest design, purpose, goodness or concern? A reply to a paragraph from Dawkins. The theme is taken up more fully in a more philosophical discussion, based on a paper of van Inwagen, found here.
The Eager Gene. On the nature of genes and biological evolution
A transparently feeble argument. A reply to another argument (if it merits to be called that) from Dawkins
Religion and reconnection. What religion is, or can be
R.S. Thomas: poetry, religion and spirituality in a scientific age. A consideration of the work of the celebrated Welsh poet.
Faith and Reason. Why reason is not the whole story and faith is correct and indeed unavoidable.
Two posts that have more to say about the word, “faith”:
Talking about faith and science Humpty Dumpty
A lesson of scripture in the interests of peace. ISIS, religious violence and holy scripture: how to handle the latter so as to avoid the former.
Philosophical arguments from pain and suffering Presents a paper by Peter van Inwagen on the logical (or illogical) structure of a widely-used argument concerning what pain and suffering implies about the source of the universe.
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