John Muir: scientist or theologian?

Noone, Pamela Ahilya (2018) John Muir: scientist or theologian? MPhil(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

John Muir (1838 – 1914) is widely known as the spokesperson of the American movement for the preservation of wilderness, mainly as a result of his leadership of the campaign opposing the creation of a dam in the Hetch Hetchy Valley in the Sierra. Born in Scotland, Muir was brought up in a strict household which adhered to the Reformed Protestant tradition. At the age of eleven years he moved to America where his family settled. Muir integrated Biblical language and imagery, Romanticism and science to develop his idiosyncratic theology of nature during his years in the Sierra, while studying the natural history and geology of that place. This thesis examines Muir’s books in order to answer the question: Is Muir a Scientist or a Theologian? It concludes that Muir’s personal understanding of God and Creation formed the basis of his writing, that his religious ideas infused his scientific thinking, and that these were evident in his arguments for preservation of wild places.

• Item Type: Thesis (MPhil(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: John Muir, theology of nature.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity; B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BS The Bible; Q Science > QH Natural history
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Supervisor's Name: Jasper, Professor David and Spurlock, Dr. Scott
• Date of Award: 2018
• Depositing User: Ms Pamela Ahilya Noone
• Unique ID: glathesis:2018-8724
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 07 Mar 2018 12:14
• Last Modified: 12 Apr 2018 08:35
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/8724