Science and Religion


Science and  religion are two of the principal influences on Western civilization. Examining each and their interaction is crucial  for
 understanding the Western world
. But, not only does each have an impact, but science and religion mutually interact as well.
This seminar examines how the scientific (or post-modern) understanding of reality and epistemology affects the character of our religious beliefs. Regarding theology as an attempt to make intelligible a religious understanding of human experience and science as an attempt to make nature intelligible, the seminar asks how these understandings affect each other. The seminar revisits the Judeo-Christian tradition
wearing the glasses of the post-modern paradigm. Theodicy and eschatology particularly are of interest to post-modern science.
 
 

The purpose of this seminar is:   to make the student sensitive to the problem of relating science and religion,
to develop the critical ability to raise the right questions and to stimulate additional reading in this developing dialogue .

The student is required to read and be prepared to discuss about 100 pages of assigned material for each class meeting.
Three or four five page papers are assigned, one after each unit of the discussion outlined above. These papers are critiqued
and should be revised in preparation for the final course paper. A final paper of more than 25 pages is assigned on the
relation of science and religion.

The student is evaluated primarily on the final paper--erudition and critical understanding of the issues. Attendance,
participation in the seminar and creative questioning contribute in part to the final grade.
 

·  The four components of the discussion :

Introduction to the main themes and issues in the study of religion and the natural sciences. Text: When Science Meets Religion:Enemies, Strangers or Partners? Ian Barbour, Harper San Francisco, 2000  and  Is Nature Enough? (Meaning and Truth in the Age of Science), John F Haught, Cambridge University Press, 2006

An attempt to establish epistemological foundations for the interaction of science and religion. Text: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas Kuhn, University of Chicago Press, 1970 and Justification of Science and the Rationality of  Religious Belief,  Michael Banner, Oxford University, 1990.

 The intellectual history of the problem and construction of a possible postmodern paradign for integrating science and religion. Texts: Does God Exist? Hans Kung, Crossroad, 1978.

New challenges which come from taking seriously postmodern science and religion. Texts: Church:The Human Story of God, Edward Schillebeeckx, Crossroad,1991 and The Fabric  of Reality, David Deutsch, Penguim, 1997

           


 


Additional Reading



There is an online discussion of the Science andReligion seminar. Anyone may examine the current discussion by clicking on current discussion . Students enrolled in the class may add to the current discussion by clicking on add comments .