"A Hard Battle to Fight": Natural Theology and the Dismal Science, 1820-1850

William Whewell's and Richard Jones's criticism of Jeremy Bentham's and David Ricardo's "dismal" views on the relation of theory and evidence in political economy was motivated by the former's views on the structuring role of natural theology for questions of method and evidence in the sciences, including political economy. In comparison, natural theology was for Richard Whately as structuring on these issues as it was for the Cambridge men. Whately's view on natural theology, however, conformed with the Ricardian predilection for theory over facts. The differences between the Cambridge men and Whately became manifest after (or better: during) the publication of Jones's book on rent in 1831 and led to a somewhat acerbic exchange of views on the role of definitions in science and the use of history for establishing scientific evidence. As far as political economy was concerned, Whately's stance carried the day in Victorian England.

Natural Theology: A Reevaluation of Christianity's Relationship to the Natural World

In this thesis I offer two separate arguments for the creation of an environmentally friendly Christian theology. These arguments, although interconnected, are roughly divided into the main chapters of the thesis. I will begin in Chapter Two by offering a negative argument against the assumption that the natural world is sinful. In their article Hauerwas and Berkman suggest that the suffering of animals is both an example of the sinful state of the environment and a justification for human separation from an unholy natural environment. In response to this view I will argue in the second chapter that the suffering of animals can be seen as part of God's intentions for our world. Suffering, in both the human and the larger world, is not evidence of a fundamental flaw in natural systems. Instead, the cycle of death and life found in the natural world can be profoundly spiritual.

The works of William Paley, D.D. ... containing the evidences of Christianity Horae Paulinae, and Natural theology. With life, introduction, notes, & c.

Mode of access: Internet.

The theory of agreeable sensations: in which the laws observed by nature in the distribution of pleasure are investigated; and the principles of natural theology and moral philosophy are established.

Preface by J. J. Vernet.

Geology and mineralogy considered with reference to natural theology,

Mode of access: Internet.

Animal and vegetable physiology, considered with reference to natural theology,

Mode of access: Internet.

A discourse of natural theology : showing the nature of the evidence and the advantages of the study /

Mode of access: Internet.

Chemistry, meteorology, and the function of digestion : considered with reference to natural theology /

Binder's title: Bridgewater treatises.

A catechism of natural theology.

Mode of access: Internet.

Observations on the Discourse of natural theology by Henry, lord Brougham; chiefly relating to His Lordship's doctrine of the immateriality of the human mind, as proved by psychological phenomena; the applicability of the inductive method of proof to natural theology, so far as relates to psychological facts; dreams ... and the bearing of the "Discourse" on divine revelation ...

With this is bound the author's Additional observations on the Discourse of natural theology by Henry, lord Brougham. 1835.

The Bible doctrine of God, Jesus Christ, the holy spirit, atonement,faith, and election : to which is prefixed some thoughts on natural theology and the truth of revelation /

Mode of access: Internet.

The youth's book on natural theology : illustrated in familiar dialogues, with numerous engravings /

Mode of access: Internet.

A catechism of natural theology /

Mode of access: Internet.

Natural theology considered : with reference to Lord Brougham's discourse on that subject /

Includes bibliographical footnotes.

Serious thoughts, generated by perusing Lord Brougham's Discourse of Natural Theology; with a few broad hints on education and politics.

The titles of parts 2 and 3 differ somewhat from that of part 1; the cover has the half-title:- "New Sanctuary of Progressive Thought and Science".