Evolution as a Religion by Mary Midgley

This book by a prominent professor of philosophy in England is tremendously insightful. Her refreshing perspective on religion as a historical and universal phenomenon and her common sense view of how people think and create a world-picture ring true.

But the best parts of the book deal with science. Science narrowly defined cannot speak to values and morals and systems of thought, but scientists like Dawkins do speak this way while denying that they do. She carefully and effectively quotes them, heaping the most scorn on the "selfish gene."

She defends science that is defined broadly and admits its metaphysical underpinnings. She is not a Christian, though raised in a Christian family, but she thinks religion is a part of human nature. She cares deeply about animals and the environment. She writes that Darwin himself avoided the dangers of his followers and had a better view of science than some who invoke his name. She demolishes Spencer and his ilk. Her feud with Dawkins is decades long and her attacks so vigorous she once had to apologize to him. For my part I find her criticisms of science making religious statements intriguing and her rejection of some scientists' denials that they have metaphysical presuppositions utterly convincing. Scientists who hold this view have a mountain of disconnected "facts" and nothing more.