Reviews:

Even though it's over 75 years old by now, this little book by Russell is still a very good introduction to the history of science and religion. Russell observes how at pretty much every juncture, the religious authorities (whom he categorizes as sadistic and misogynistic) stifled advances in science that contradicted their dogma. While couched in theological arguments, their motivations were actually more influenced by the fact that science put their authority into question. And anything that puts an authoritarian's rule into question must be eradicated. While he was writing of the past, Russell nonetheless saw the same forces at work at the time of writing, stating that communism and fascism became "the inheritors of theological bigotry."

And indeed, it seems these same dynamics are at play today. That's where I think Russell's analysis falls short. As Michael Ruse points out in the introduction, the book is a little out of date. The 'conflict' hasn't so much been a monolithic one of "science" vs. "religion". In my opinion, it has more to do with the psychology behind these impulses: one of open-mindedness and free discovery, and one of brute totalitarian rule. While religion has definitely typified the latter for its entire history, the worldview can also apply to secular institutions, as Russell noted. The identity of the problem isn't clearly defined here. I think David Ray Griffin's summary of Whitehead's views on the subject, as well as his own analysis on the circumstances surrounding the main players in the 'conflict' and the forces at play that left 'science' victorious gets closer to the heart of the matter (see Whitehead's Radically Different Postmodern Philosophy: An Argument for Its Contemporary Relevence). The battle was a political one, and competing 'religious' worldviews suffered just as much as 'science'. Griffin also presents a more coherent metaphysic than Russell's materialism, for what it's worth.

As for a more current take on the subject, I recommend Thomas Dixon's volume, Science and Religion: A Very Short Introduction.

Product details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr (T) (June 1961)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195002288
• ISBN-13: 978-0195002287
• Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 1.3 x 20.3 cm
• Shipping Weight: 249 g