Description
Book SynopsisNavigating Post-Truth and Alternative Facts: Religion and Science as Political Theology is an edited volume that explores the critical intersection of religion-and-science and our contemporary political and social landscape with a tailored eye towards the epistemological and hermeneutical impact of the post-truth society. The rise of the post-truth society has specific importance and inherent risk for nearly all academic disciplines and researchers. When personal beliefs regarding climate change trump scientific consensus, research projects are defunded, results are hidden or undermined, and all of us are at a greater vulnerability to extreme weather patterns. When expertise itself becomes suspect, we become a nation lead by fools. When data is overcome by alternative facts and truth in any form is suspect, where is the space for religious and/or scientific scholarship? The central curiosity of this volume is what is the role of religion and science scholarship in a post-truth society?
Trade ReviewNow that ‘post-truth’ has dictionary status, Pontius Pilate’s cynically rhetorical ‘What is truth?’ arises as a disturbingly real, and really political, question. No longer can academics afford our habitual relativism. What better venue for curating the multiform width of truth-talk than within the dialogue of religion and science? What may seem like a rather esoteric set of transdisciplinary essays bristles from the first page on with vivid and timely examples, communicative clarity, and stunning politico-eco-religio-cultural relevance. -- Catherine Keller, Drew University
Finally! A critical look at the politically charged discussion of religion and science. But, rather than pitting both sides against each other, as many texts do, Navigating Post-Truth and Alternative Facts brings the two together in an unapologetic manner that is rooted in both religion and science. This is an excellent edited volume by Jennifer Baldwin and one that promises to give facts, not just opinion. In this age of post-truth and attacks on science, this book is truly needed. Well worth the read! -- Daniel White Hodge, North Park University
Table of ContentsForeword Lisa Stenmark and Whitney Bauman Preface: Post-truth, Fake News, and Alternative Facts . . . Oh, My! Jennifer Baldwin Introduction: The Reformation and Our Common Responsibility for the World Today Antje Jackelén Part I: Finding Truth 1. Modern Political Lying: Science and Religion as Critical Discourse in a Post-Truth World Lisa Stenmark 2. The Power of Lies and the Lies of Power Ted Peters 3. The Golden Mean in a Political Darwinism: Science, Religion, and Authenticity Paul Allen 4. Making America Humble Again: Humility and Magnanimity as Greatness in a Post-veridical World Craig Boyd Part II: Affect and the Public Trust 5. Rationality in Play?: A Philosophical Journey in the Current Landscape of Facts and Truth Knut-Willy Sæther 6. The Anxiety of Alternative Facts: Considering the Role of Religion and Science in Forming Public Values Spanning Political Divisiveness Adam Pryor 7. Knowledge, Power, and Fear: The Role of Religion and Science in Populism and Our Shared Public Life Jennifer Baldwin Part III: Politics, Religion, and the Environment 8. Confessions of a Recovering Objectivist: Religion/Science as Engaged Theology and Environmental Strategy Philip Clayton 9. Religion and Science as Critical Discourse: Postmodern as Contextual Thinking, not Post-truth Whitney Bauman 10. The Puppet, the Dwarf, and Political Theologies of Science Graham Walker
