Is it true that the universe evolves through an ever-expanding series of levels from quantum states to consciousness? Philip Clayton introduces the non-expert to emergence theory, one of the most revolutionary claims to be made about the natural world in recent years, and its significance for religion. Emergence is based on the recognition that the world continually produces new patterns, new structures, and new types of causal forces. Clayton discusses whether a transcendent force is luring the natural world toward higher forms of existence, or whether basic forces in the natural world are producing ever more complex phenomena, including the life of the mind and the ideas of spirit and of God (immanent emergence). He then offers a reformulation of Christian theology that brings it more in line with the new emergence-based understanding of the natural world. - ;Strong claims have been made for emergence as a new paradigm for understanding science, consciousness, and religion. Tracing the past history and current definitions of the concept, Clayton assesses the case for emergent phenomena in the natural world and their significance for philosophy and theology. Complex emergent phenomena require irreducible levels of explanation in physics, chemistry and biology. This pattern of emergence suggests a new approach to the problem of consciousness, which is neither reducible to brain states nor proof of a mental substance or soul. Although emergence does not entail classical theism, it is compatible with a variety of religious positions. Clayton concludes with a defence of emergentist panentheism and a Christian constructive theology consistent with the new sciences of emergence. - ;a useful survey of the field and many of the main issues...contain[ing] a wide range of references. - Scientific and Medical Network Review
