Michael Behe argues that evolution cannot explain 'irreducibly complex' structures. Miller, a practicing Roman Catholic, also has a fascinating section on evolution's implications for religious belief. Suffering Belief reviews the leading attempts at justifying the existence of evil and salvaging a rational basis of belief in the traditional Western God. Through a systematic evaluation of the kinds of evil that most strongly call belief into question, such as genocide, natural catastrophes, animal suffering, and disease, it is shown that there is scant basis for continued belief in an all-perfect God and compelling reason for abandoning such a damaging construct. An advocate of evolutionary theory, Clifford recognized that working hypotheses and assumptions are a necessary part of belief formation and that testing and assessing one's belief in light of new evidence strengthens those worthy of being held.
Humans can only flourish when biologically-based needs are satisfied.
This view also provides a neutral standard whereby the ethical practices of diverse cultures may be judged, so complete ethichal relativism can be avoided. However, Arnhart recognizes that there may be multifarious, culturally-relative means of achieving the universal ends. This volume discusses these and other topics in this hotly debated area where philosophy and science meet. The book is being released with four different covers. This edition features an image of Natalie Portman as the teenage Queen Amidala.