The Road to Wisdom

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What to expect

From world-leading scientist and New York Times bestselling author of The Language of God, a deeply thoughtful guidebook to discerning what and who we can trust to move us from societal discord to civic harmony.

As the COVID-19 pandemic revealed, western society has become not just hyper-partisan, but also deeply cynical; distrustful of traditional sources of knowledge and wisdom such as science and faith. Scepticism about vaccines led to the needless deaths of at least 230,000 Americans, and "Do your own research" is now a rallying cry in many online rabbit holes. Yes, experts can make mistakes, and institutions can lose their moral compass, but there are reliable ways and means to weigh information and navigate truth, and The Road to Wisdom is here to help us rediscover them.

Francis Collins reminds us of the four core sources of judgement and clear thinking: truth, science, faith, and trust. Drawing on his scientific work at the forefront of the Human Genome Project and the US National Institutes of Health, as well as on ethics, philosophy, and theology, Collins makes a robust, thoughtful case for each of these sources - their reliability, and their limits. Ultimately, he shows how they work together, not separately - and certainly not in conflict. It is only when we re-link these four pillars of wisdom that we can begin to discern the best path forward in life.

​Hopeful, accessible, winsome, and deeply wise, The Road to Wisdom leads us beyond current animosities to surer footing. Here is the moral, philosophical, and scientific framework with which to address the problems of our time - on the world stage, but also in our daily lives.

Critics Review

Francis Collins offers us a path back to wisdom with this inspirational and unflinching look at his life as a research scientist, a man of faith, and a servant-leader who oversaw the work of our nation's medical research agency through turbulent times. In the final pages of The Road to Wisdom, he urges us to sign a pledge, committing to seek truth, build trust, and practice generosity. I hope that many, many readers will join me in doing so.
Yo-Yo Ma
Through his leadership of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Francis Collins revealed the simple truth that we are all far more alike than we are different. Now, in his thoughtful book The Road to Wisdom, he urges us to have the courage and humility to bridge our divides, embrace what we have in common, and rebuild a fractured society. When Dr. Collins speaks, I listen-and his message is more important now than ever.
President Bill Clinton
A remarkable book for our troubled times, telling the powerful story of one man's extended quest for wisdom. Collins's personal journey of reflection and discovery will speak to many struggling to make sense of life, cope with uncertainty, and find their place in a greater scheme of things. Essential reading for those trying to work out how science and faith belong together, and how they can enrich our vision of human existence.
Professor Alister McGrath - Senior Research Fellow in Science and Religion, Oxford University
Dr Francis Collins is a national treasure, acclaimed not only for his scientific achievements but for his example as a bridge person in a polarized time. He has served under every U.S. president of this century, in the process winning the respect of some of his fiercest critics. Amid the shrillness of our era, Dr Collins offers a calming voice of hope, as well as practical suggestions on how to heal the nation's wounds.
Philip Yancey
This practical, refreshingly humble book shows the human side of one of the most eminent scientists of our time, and offers applicable and accessible guidance for all those worried about the state of wisdom in our world.
Elizabeth Oldfield
In an angry age when cool heads rarely seem to prevail, how refreshing it is to read about the value of wisdom, truth, respect and faith from someone who has been at the sharp end of the culture wars. Francis Collins is a careful, friendly and generous thinker, both professionally and in person. This book will help anyone who wishes to see integrity, civility and truth prevail in the public square.
Justin Brierley - Broadcaster, speaker and author of ‘The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God’
I would recommend this book to anyone but especially to those who are exploring the compatibility of science and faith.
Nicky Gumbel
Incredibly timely for any Christian trying to understand and respond to the truth wars ... Whatever your background in faith or science, if you are fed up with politics and polarisation, this book is for you.
Christianity Magazine

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