From Big Bang to Big Mystery: Human Origins in the Light of Creation and Evolution

by Brendan Purcell

This book is about the ultimate question or big mystery: where did human beings come from? One of the author's favorite quotes is from the American-based philosopher of evolution, Michael Ruse, who's said that: "Unfortunately, there is simply nothing in the literature by philosophers on human origins." In a fascinating, accessible, and thorough study, renowned priest Brendan Purcell explores this complex area and tries to make up for that lack.

Genres: Science

366 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

About the author

Brendan Purcell entered the seminary in 1960 and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin in 1967. He did his BA at University College Dublin and was sent to study theology at the Lateran University in Rome. He returned to UCD and taught in the Philosophy department for nearly forty years. He also did a PhD in psychology at the University of Leuven, on the theory of human relationships. He retired from UCD in 2008, but holds a Senior Lecturer position on the Emeritus Faculty.

He is a Board Member of VoegelinView, an Adjunct Professor in Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney, and has been an assistant priest at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, since 2010.

Reviews

[Sarah Haddad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the focus of this book to be human beings - scientific and spiritual analysis of what makes us unique. It considers theories from all view points; it is a very objective analysis which I love. It starts from considering theories of evolution and carrying these theories to more modern connotations of the unity of mankind. It is a great book. I have also attended the lectures on the contents of the book, and they are just as fascinating. Fr Brendan Purcell is a lover of all people with a brilliant mind, who is capable of making such an objective analysis of theories coming from different faiths, beliefs and scientific opinion.

[Jim Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brendan Purcell gives a very cogent view of the collision of evolution with philosophy and theology. To my way of thinking, the idea of an evident discontinuity between the hominids and humans is a very good way to open a dialogue between scientists and philosophers.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that captures man's thoughts throughout human history on what it means to be human and what the point may be with the great mystery.

[Chris McDonald]

Flawed...but broad and deep