Dec 19, 2004 - Claremont, Calif. -

"Science and Religion, 1450-1900 From Copernicus to Darwin" is the title of a new book by Richard G. Olson, professor of history and Willard W. Keith, Jr. Fellow in Humanities at Harvey Mudd College.

Published by Greenwood Publishing Group, the book examines the contributions of scientists like Galileo, Newton and Darwin and their influence on religion, and, more specifically, Christianity. The first volume in a planned 15-book series "Greenwood Guides to Science and Religion," the book describes the way science interacts with religion and its ideas, attitudes, practices and institutions.

Olson describes the clashes between science and religion, but also explores ways in which the two forged positive relationships in advancing knowledge during the period:

• Christian Humanism of the 16th century promoted the new, utilitarian approach to natural knowledge that distinguishes modern from Medieval science.
• The Jesuits were instrumental in the development of experimental and mathematical sciences during the Scientific Revolution.
• In the 17th century, the English Puritans advocated alchemical science while their opponents, the liberal Anglicans, promoted a new mechanistic approach to science.
• The geological advances of the 19th century were often religiously motivated; the discoveries of biblical criticism of the same period were inspired by the science of the day.

Olson has been a member of the faculty at Harvey Mudd College since 1976. His work has focused on the interrelationships between the natural sciences and other cultural domains, including moral philosophy, the social sciences, political ideology and religion. His publications include "Science Deified and Science Defied" (vol. 1, 1982; vol. 2, 1990) and "The Emergence of the Social Sciences, 1642-1792" (1993).