*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

The bell tolls for a great punch-up

by
21 June 2013

Timothy Gorringe considers the case for co-operation

iStock

Why Genes are Not Selfish and People are Nice: A challenge to the dangerous ideas that dominate our lives
Colin Tudge
Floris £16.99
(978-086315-963-3)
Church Times Bookshop £15.30 (Use code CT426 )

READERS of the Church Times may be familiar with Colin Tudge from books such asThe Secret Life of Trees. This book is, in some respects, a new departure, and of particular interest to the readership of this paper. Tudge is a biologist, brought up on the positivistic prejudices that dominated the mid-20th century, but never able fully to accept them. He seeks to do two things: first, to challenge these materialist prejudices, and, second, to argue that metaphysics are essential to our practical enterprises.

The first half of the book is a sympathetic assessment of Darwin's arguments, and an evaluation of neo-Darwinism. The idea of the selfish gene, he argues, is not science at all, but rhetoric, springing from an assortment of philosophical, political, and sociological prejudices. It suggests that life is one big punch-up, but in fact life is a constructive dialogue. Co-operation is also fundamental to understanding both the earth and the system of which it is part, and with this comes a challenge to the idea that science can have nothing to do with teleology. On the contrary, Tudge argues, without it, science is incoherent.

That co-operation is fundamental rather than competition has huge consequences for our politics and economics, and Tudge explores these with good-humoured exasperation at present stupidities. But, if humans are fundamentally altruistic, whence the evil and violence of human history? Appealing to game theory, he argues that, though most of us are doves, we come to be dominated by hawks, with disastrous consequences.

In the second half of the book, Tudge develops an argument for the necessity of metaphysics, and for taking religion seriously. Reductionist materialism is, he believes, "a busted flush", and we have every reason to believe that life is led by consciousness. We cannot get away from the question: why is there anything at all? Such questions cannot be asked without asking further about the true, the good, and the beautiful.

In knowing, he argues, we have to recognise the importance of intuition and its priority over what we usually think of as rational thinking. Over against the materialist reductionists, Tudge insists that theology is a dialogue between refined non-rational intuition and the sharpest possible analysis. He argues that humility, compassion, and reverence for life underlie all the great religious teachings. Without the right metaphysics, we will not get the economics, politics, science, and farming that will enable us to survive. Eschewing both reform and revolution, he looks for a renaissance: doing things differently despite the powers that be, building on what our instincts and common sense tells us.

The book is written with great humour and in an easy-going, conversational style, and may be taken as a sign of what may really be a change of cultural tide.

The Revd Dr Timothy Gorringe is Professor of Theological Studies at the University of Exeter.

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Church Times Bookshop

Save money on books reviewed or featured in the Church Times. To get your reader discount:

> Click on the “Church Times Bookshop” link at the end of the review.

> Call 0845 017 6965 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm).

The reader discount is valid for two months after the review publication date. E&OE

Forthcoming Events

Women Mystics: Female Theologians through Christian History

13 January - 19 May 2025

An online evening lecture series, run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

The Church Times Archive

Read reports from issues stretching back to 1863, search for your parish or see if any of the clergy you know get a mention.

FREE for Church Times subscribers.

Explore the archive

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)