#104 Michael Ruse: Darwinism, Species, Race, Gene Editing, and Religion
Dr. Michael Ruse is a philosopher of science who specializes in the philosophy of biology and works on the relationship between science and religion, the creation–evolution controversy, and the demarcation problem within science. He currently teaches at Florida State University, where he is Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor and Director of HPS Program. He’s also a very prolific writer, author of books like The Darwinian Revolution, Darwin and Design, and On Purpose.
In this episode, we talk about the scientific and philosophical revolution operated by Darwinism, and the many beliefs that it undermined. We go through how natural selection works; gene-culture coevolution; what are the units of selection in evolution; the concept of species; race and its biological basis; the problems with genetic engineering; and the schism between science and religion.
Time Links:
Darwinism as a scientific and philosophical revolution
On purpose
Natural selection and the modern synthesis
Gene-culture coevolution
Units of selection in natural selection
The concept of species
About race and its biological basis
The potential troubles with gene editing
Is there still any merit to natural theology?
The moral and existential components of religion
Dr. Ruse’s account of my yet to be unveiled personal history
Follow Dr. Ruse’s work:
Faculty page: https://tinyurl.com/y98bvauc
Books: https://tinyurl.com/y7dygsce