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Emeritus Professor Peter Harrison
Emeritus Professor

Peter Harrison

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Overview

Background

Peter Harrison was educated at the University of Queensland and Yale University. In 2011 he moved to Queensland from the University of Oxford where he was the Idreos Professor of Science and Religion. At Oxford he was a member of the Faculties of Theology and History, a Fellow of Harris Manchester College, and Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre. He is a Professorial Research Fellow at the Universityof Notre Dame, Australia, and a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford's Ian Ramsey Centre. He has published extensively on the philosophical, scientific and religious thought of the early modern period, and is interested in secularization theory and historical and contemporary relations between science and religion. He has been a Visiting Fellow at Oxford, Yale, Princeton, and the University of Chicago, is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, a founding member of the International Society for Science and Religion, and a corresponding member of the International Academy for the History of Science. In 2003, he recieved a Centenary Medal for 'service to Australian Society and the Humanities in the Study of Philosophy and Religion’. In 2011 he delivered the Gifford Lectures at the University of Edinburgh. He was awarded a DLitt by the University of Oxford in 2013, and delivered the Bampton Lectures at Oxford in 2019. From 2015-20 has was an Australian Laureate Fellow.

His twelve books include, most recently, Some New World: Myths of Supernatural Belief in a Secular Age (Cambridge, 2024), After Science and Religion (Cambridge, 2022), co-edited with John Milbank, and The Territories of Science and Religion (Chicago, 2015), winner of the Aldersgate Prize.

Availability

Emeritus Professor Peter Harrison is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework), Yale University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Doctoral Diploma, University of Oxford
  • Australian Academy of the Humanities, Australian Academy of the Humanities

Research interests

  • Intellectual History, Historical Relations between Science and Religion, History of Science, Religious History, History of Philosophy

Works

Search Professor Peter Harrison’s works on UQ eSpace

127 works between 1986 and 2024

1 - 20 of 127 works

2024

Journal Article

The forgotten proof: the existence of God and universal consent

Harrison, Peter (2024). The forgotten proof: the existence of God and universal consent. Journal of Religion, 104 (1), 45-78. doi: 10.1086/727614

The forgotten proof: the existence of God and universal consent

2023

Journal Article

Review of Paul Tyson, <i>A Christian Theology of Science</i>

Harrison, Peter (2023). Review of Paul Tyson, A Christian Theology of Science. Modern Theology, 40 (3), 697-704. doi: 10.1111/moth.12910

Review of Paul Tyson, <i>A Christian Theology of Science</i>

2023

Journal Article

Normativity and the critical functions of genealogy: the case of modern science

Harrison, Peter (2023). Normativity and the critical functions of genealogy: the case of modern science. Modern Theology, 39 (4), 682-707. doi: 10.1111/moth.12857

Normativity and the critical functions of genealogy: the case of modern science

2023

Journal Article

Naturalism and the categories “science” and “religion”: a response to Josh Reeves

Harrison, Peter (2023). Naturalism and the categories “science” and “religion”: a response to Josh Reeves. Zygon®, 58 (1), 98-108. doi: 10.1111/zygo.12865

Naturalism and the categories “science” and “religion”: a response to Josh Reeves

2022

Book Chapter

The history of science and theology

Harrison, Peter (2022). The history of science and theology. St Andrews encyclopaedia of theology. (pp. N/A-N/A) edited by Brendan N. Wolfe. St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom: University of St Andrews.

The history of science and theology

2022

Journal Article

What is natural theology? (And should we dispense with it?)

Harrison, Peter (2022). What is natural theology? (And should we dispense with it?). Zygon®, 57 (1), 114-140. doi: 10.1111/zygo.12767

What is natural theology? (And should we dispense with it?)

2022

Book

New Directions in Theology and Science : Beyond Dialogue

Harrison, Peter and Tyson, Paul eds. (2022). New Directions in Theology and Science : Beyond Dialogue. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003240334

New Directions in Theology and Science : Beyond Dialogue

2022

Book

After Science and Religion: Fresh Perspectives from Philosophy and Theology

Peter Harrison and John Milbank eds. (2022). After Science and Religion: Fresh Perspectives from Philosophy and Theology. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781009047968

After Science and Religion: Fresh Perspectives from Philosophy and Theology

2022

Book Chapter

Science and religion as historical traditions

Harrison, Peter (2022). Science and religion as historical traditions. After Science and Religion: Fresh Perspectives from Philosophy and Theology. (pp. 15-34) edited by Peter Harrison and John Milbank. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

Science and religion as historical traditions

2021

Journal Article

Defining and defending the humanities: with Peter Harrison, “Defining and Defending the Humanities”; Michael Ruse, “Willem Drees on the Humanities”; Douglas F. Ottati, “Theology among the Human Humanities”; Lisa L. Stenmark, “Who are the Humanities For? Decolonizing the Humanities”; Donald L. Drakeman, “Some Second Thoughts about the Humanities”; and Willem B. Drees, “The Coherence and Character of the Humanities: A Reply to Critics.”

Harrison, Peter (2021). Defining and defending the humanities: with Peter Harrison, “Defining and Defending the Humanities”; Michael Ruse, “Willem Drees on the Humanities”; Douglas F. Ottati, “Theology among the Human Humanities”; Lisa L. Stenmark, “Who are the Humanities For? Decolonizing the Humanities”; Donald L. Drakeman, “Some Second Thoughts about the Humanities”; and Willem B. Drees, “The Coherence and Character of the Humanities: A Reply to Critics.”. Zygon, 56 (3), 678-690. doi: 10.1111/zygo.12729

Defining and defending the humanities: with Peter Harrison, “Defining and Defending the Humanities”; Michael Ruse, “Willem Drees on the Humanities”; Douglas F. Ottati, “Theology among the Human Humanities”; Lisa L. Stenmark, “Who are the Humanities For? Decolonizing the Humanities”; Donald L. Drakeman, “Some Second Thoughts about the Humanities”; and Willem B. Drees, “The Coherence and Character of the Humanities: A Reply to Critics.”

2021

Journal Article

A historian’s perspective on science‐engaged theology

Harrison, Peter (2021). A historian’s perspective on science‐engaged theology. Modern Theology, 37 (2), 476-482. doi: 10.1111/moth.12693

A historian’s perspective on science‐engaged theology

2020

Book

Πέρα από την Επιστήμη και τη Θρησκεία: νέες φιλοσοφικές και ιστορικές προσεγγίσεις

Sotiris Mitralexis, Paul Tyson and Peter Harrison eds. (2020). Πέρα από την Επιστήμη και τη Θρησκεία: νέες φιλοσοφικές και ιστορικές προσεγγίσεις. Thessaloniki, Greece: Ropi.

Πέρα από την Επιστήμη και τη Θρησκεία: νέες φιλοσοφικές και ιστορικές προσεγγίσεις

2020

Book Chapter

What’s in a name? "Physico-theology" in seventeenth-century England

Harrison, Peter (2020). What’s in a name? "Physico-theology" in seventeenth-century England. Physico-theology: religion and science in Europe, 1650-1750. (pp. 39-51) edited by Ann Blair and Kaspar von Greyerz. Baltimore, Maryland, United States: Johns Hopkins University Press.

What’s in a name? "Physico-theology" in seventeenth-century England

2020

Book Chapter

The conflict narrative, group identity, and the uses of history

Harrison, Peter (2020). The conflict narrative, group identity, and the uses of history. Identity in a secular age: science, religion, and public perceptions. (pp. 129-140) edited by Fern Elsdon-Baker and Bernard Lightman. Pittsburgh, PA United States: University of Pittsburgh Press.

The conflict narrative, group identity, and the uses of history

2019

Book

Science Without God? : Rethinking the History of Scientific Naturalism

Harrison, Peter and Roberts, Jon H. eds. (2019). Science Without God? : Rethinking the History of Scientific Naturalism. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oso/9780198834588.001.0001

Science Without God? : Rethinking the History of Scientific Naturalism

2019

Book Chapter

Laws of God or Laws of Nature? : Natural Order in the Early Modern Period

Harrison, Peter (2019). Laws of God or Laws of Nature? : Natural Order in the Early Modern Period. Science Without God?. (pp. 58-76) Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oso/9780198834588.003.0004

Laws of God or Laws of Nature? : Natural Order in the Early Modern Period

2019

Book Chapter

Conflict, complexity, and secularization in the history of science and religion

Harrison, Peter (2019). Conflict, complexity, and secularization in the history of science and religion. Rethinking History, Science, and Religion: an exploration of conflict and the complexity principle. (pp. 221-234) edited by Bernard Lightman. Pittsburgh, PA United States: University of Pittsburgh Press. doi: 10.2307/j.ctvqc6h4s.17

Conflict, complexity, and secularization in the history of science and religion

2018

Book

Narratives of Secularization

Peter Harrison ed. (2018). Narratives of Secularization. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.

Narratives of Secularization

2018

Journal Article

Naturalism and the success of science

Harrison, Peter (2018). Naturalism and the success of science. Religious Studies, 56 (2), 1-18. doi: 10.1017/S0034412518000574

Naturalism and the success of science

2017

Journal Article

Credo quia impossibile: who said it and when?

Harrison, Peter (2017). Credo quia impossibile: who said it and when?. Notes and Queries, 64 (4), 540-542. doi: 10.1093/notesj/gjx134

Credo quia impossibile: who said it and when?

Funding

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2023
    Science and Religion Exploring the Spectrum: A Global Perspective (Templeton Religious Trust Grant led by the University of Birmingham)
    University of Birmingham
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    After Science and Religion: Rethinking the Foundations of Science-Religion Discourse
    Templeton World Charity Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    After Science and Religion: Involving Theology in Science-Religion Discussions
    The University of Queensland in America, Inc
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Science and Orthodoxy around the World (Templeton Grant administered by the Institute of Historical Research Greece)
    National Hellenic Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2021
    Science and Secularization
    ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Evolution, Atheism, and Mass Persuasion: The Uses and Abuses of Biology in New Atheist Propaganda
    The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Religion, History and the Secular
    The Historical Society's Religion and Innovation in Human Affairs (RIHA) Grants Program
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Religion, Naturalism, and Scientific Progress
    The Historical Society's Religion and Innovation in Human Affairs (RIHA) Grants Program
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Science, Progress and History
    Templeton World Charity Foundation
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Emeritus Professor Peter Harrison is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Eternality of the Soul. Philosophical and Religious debates 1500-1800

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Philip Almond

  • Doctor Philosophy

    An Investigation into the socio-cultural and/or religious influences on Young Earth Creationism in Queensland in the 1970s and early 1980s

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ryan Williams, Associate Professor Tom Aechtner

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Emeritus Professor Peter Harrison directly for media enquiries about:

  • Early modern intellectual history
  • History of science
  • Philosophy and religion
  • Religion and philosophy
  • Religion and science
  • Science and religion

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au