Genes, Determinism and God by Denis Alexander - A Review

Abstract

Are we our genes? Does our environment make us what we are? Our genetics? Both? Or is there something else? Delving into the science behind the questions, Denis Alexander concludes the scientific results are equivocal, leading to the conclusion that individual differences would require too large a population to even find out the truth. The best we can get it seems, is some type of genetic epidemiology - enabling us to get predictive insights, albeit on a population not individual basis.

The questions Prof. Alexander raises affects the law (in terms of criminal matters, which he discusses, and validity of using DNA evidence, which he doesn't), the philosophical inquiry - of what makes us a person, and the theological arena, which he mines for answers, concluding that the whole human is more than the sum of its parts, which I paraphrase to mean genes environment.

Keywords: Genes, Determinism, Free Will, Freedom of Choice, Legal Aspects, Theology, Freedom of Choice, Genetics, Environment, Heredity

JEL Classification: K14, K42, K13, Y3, J10