Beyond Determinism and Reductionism: Genetic Science and the Person

by Douglas Pratt, Mark Chan

Drawing on an international panel of writers representing different disciplinary perspectives, Beyond Determinism seeks to assess the impact of recent developments in genetic science and stem cell research on the Christian understanding of the human person. Outlining the theories on pastoral care for those involved in genetic research, Beyond Determinism also examines the theories of "common good", "determinism", and "reductionism". Notable Contributors Ted Peters (CTNS Berkeley), Colin Gunton (King’s College, London), Gareth Jones (New Zealand) and Carver T. Yu (Hong Kong).

265 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Professor Douglas Pratt is Convenor, Graduate and International Student Adviser (Studies in Religion) at the University of Waikato, New Zealand.

Professor Pratt also holds appointments as Adjunct Professor (Theology & Interreligious Studies) at the University of Bern, Switzerland, and Adjunct Associate Professor (Research) in the School of Social Sciences at Monash University, Australia. A former President of the Australian Association for the Study of Religion (AASR) and the New Zealand Association for the Study of Religions (NZASR), Professor Pratt is the New Zealand Associate of the Australian-based UNESCO Chair in Intercultural and Interreligious Relations – Asia Pacific. He is also an Associate of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics (CSRP) at the University of St Andrews, Scotland.

Professor Pratt's research interests focus on recent and contemporary topics to do with Christianity, Islam, Christian-Muslim relations, interreligious dialogue, and religious issues such as pluralism, fundamentalism and extremism.