A critical appraisal of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's view on the distinctiveness of the human being in the light of evolutionary debate

A significant contributor to the ongoing debate between science and religion is Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955), a French Jesuit priest/theologian and palaeontologist. He perceived evolution to be a working-out of God's purposes in the world. He applies the concept of Darwinian evolution to his own particular notion of human development. Thus he presents a view of the cosmos and humanity's place within it which is original, radical and controversial. His work reflects the thinking of a visionary, a prophet, as well as effecting a synthesis between the biological sciences and Christianity. This dissertation offers a critical appraisal of Teilhard de Chardin's views on human distinctiveness in relation to evolutionary theory of his time and at present. It is a book-based study, in part historical, examining and analyzing both a wide selection of Teilhard's works together with books and journals relative to the period and to the subject. The key questions are: What is it to be human? What distinguishes us from the primates and from the rest of creation? These questions address not only the biological but also the spiritual development of human 'being'. The linking theme is one of emergence - of creativity, of consciousness and spirituality.

Publisher

University of Liverpool (University of Chester)

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10034/122269

Type

Thesis or dissertation

Language

en