When Science Meets Religion Introductory Reflections based on the work of Ian Barbour
Barbour’s Typologies Conflict Independence Dialog Integration
Conflict Biblical literalism Scientific materialism Fundamentalism Young Earth creationists The Genesis Flood (Whitcomb and Morris - 1961) Scientific Creationism (Morris - 1980) Scientific materialism New Athieits The End of Faith (Harris - 2004) The God Delusion (Dawkins – 2006) God: The Failed Hypothesis (Stenger - 2007) God is Not Great (Hitchens – 2007) Fundamentalism
Independence Separate Domains Differing Languages and Functions Primary vs. secondary causality “Non-overlaping magisteria (NOMA)” - Gould Differing Languages and Functions Science = prediction and control, analysis Religion = way of living Complimentarity
Dialog Pre-suppositions and Limit Questions Judeo-Christian Origins of Modern Science “Ad maiorem Dei gloriam” AMDG Boundary questions What can we do? vs. What should we do? Methodological and Conceptual Paralells Role of analagies, metaphors, and models Paradigms (Kuhn - 1970) Ignatian pedagogy and the scientific method
Integration Natural Theology Theology of Nature Systematic synthesis Teleological argument (first cause) – Aquinas Argument from design Anthropic principle Theology of Nature Reformulation of religious traditions Top-down causality Inter-relatedness of all things Stewardship, sacramental views Systematic synthesis Process theology (Albert North Whitehead)
When Science Meets Religion Where Do You Place Yourself in the Barbour Typologies?
Small Group Work Groups of 6-7 Permanent Members Members alternate jobs: Facilitator Scribe Reporter Time Keeper Participant – all! Report out session following group work Please return Group booklet to Trina at day’s end!