Philosopher of biology Michael Ruse (1940–2024) was a leading voice in the “science and religion” debates of our times. While himself a “nonbeliever,” he contended that an informed and intelligent person can be perfectly “religious,” even in this age of science. He argued for a “middle” position with regard to matters of faith and science, particularly with respect to evolutionary biology. Ruse sought a more peaceful or irenic resolution to tensions between biology and religion than those offered by intelligent design. Moreover, he became a highly productive theorist of spirituality and values prior to his untimely death.
In this volume leading academics enter into critical but appreciative engagement with different areas of Ruse’s scholarly work. This is a perfect companion volume to Reading Ruse, which it is designed to fit alongside.
Ruminating on Ruse is a thoughtful and richly layered tribute to one of the most influential voices in contemporary discussions on science, religion, and evolutionary philosophy. Your volume not only honors Michael Ruse’s intellectual legacy but also gives readers a deeper window into the subtlety, nuance, and irenic spirit he brought to some of the most heated debates of our time.
What makes this book especially compelling is its balanced approach: critical, yet deeply appreciative. You gather leading scholars who engage Ruse’s ideas with rigor from evolutionary naturalism to his nuanced reflections on spirituality, values, and the complexities of belief in a scientific age. In an era where discourse is often polarized, this collection reminds us that thoughtful middle-ground inquiry still matters and that one can wrestle honestly with science and religion without hostility or oversimplification.
By positioning Ruminating on Ruse alongside Reading Ruse, you offer readers a comprehensive intellectual companion, one that appeals to philosophers of science, theologians, evolutionary theorists, and cross-disciplinary scholars who are eager to understand Ruse’s contributions in full context.
