George MacDonald's embrace of the imagination as an instrument for apprehending reality heals a deep-seated cultural split between science and wonder. That split is characterized by two opposing kinds of realism: on one hand, a positivist realism which reduces reality to nothing but what is evident to sensory perception, and, on the other hand, an imaginative realism which apprehends the as-yet unseen, unknown, and unfinished in-depth realities which lie beyond and beneath the surface appearances of things. With special attention to MacDonald's novel Thomas Wingfold, Curate and 19th-century geology, this interpretative essay explores how MacDonald's holistic integration of reality, given the perceptive and creative role of the imagination, applies to the natural sciences as well as to religious faith, literature and the fine arts. The imagination is then given legitimate scope to play as the source not only of wonder but also of creative discovery within the very fabric of natural science. Without imagination, the sciences perish.
"This magisterial survey not only places MacDonald in the context of the developing science of the nineteenth century, but also shows him as a person in and through whom the necessary conversation between Science, the Arts, and Christianity was taking place. In a world in which the three great forces of Science, Art, and Religion seem fearful of one another, even hostile, we need to hear that conversation now even more than the Victorians needed it then. This is not just an historical survey, it's a vital contribution to a current debate. Magruder draws fresh insights from MacDonald, insights about the role of the Imagination in all three spheres, the kind of imagination that does not lead us away from reality but rather takes us deeper into the heart of things. I strongly commend this book to anyone who longs for integration and hope in a world of disintegration and despair." - Malcolm Guite, Life Fellow, Girton College, Cambridge; poet and author of Lifting the Veil, Mariner, Galahad and the Grail.
"As a son of a scientist and as an artist, a work that connects science and imagination is a portal of creative refreshment for me. Kerry's George MacDonald and the Scientific Imagination proved to be a treasure-filled map. This is a monumental work of integration, a deep well of resources for scientists and artists, historians and teachers alike. Kerry beautifully lays out MacDonald's vast and soaring realms of imaginative realism to open our eyes and hearts toward the vista of wonderment." Makoto Fujimura, artist and author of Art Is: A Journey into the Light.
"This book invites us to consider afresh the role of wonder in the pursuit of knowledge and the extent to which we already use imagination to move beyond what we see or otherwise sense-what we call facts-in our attempt to attain deeper levels of understanding. A timely and thought-provoking exploration of how we come to know the world, it encourages us to approach that task with curiosity, humility, and both scientific and theological reflection.+ - Marc Foggin, Honorary Research Associate, School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford University; International Director, Plateau Perspectives.
