Religion & Science as institutions of Modernity Lecture 1: The dichotomization of S & R both social practices (altho pointing beyond their practices to “truth”)?

Social Sciences help us understand How the issues get framed how sides got drawn how boundaries established How “knowledge” is understood, produced Who has power and how do they wield it what maneuvers made to gain credibility What practices and techniques and knowledge are taught as “correct” ergo, legitimate.

Limits of Barbour’s Typology Static (doesn’t show dynamic processes) Abstracted, intellectualized Experiential, social aspects minimized no discussions of institutions/Power (e.g. Templeton Fdnt institutionalized Barbour) Sharply separates Theory and Practice Note: Pure Science/Applied is much like Pure Theology/Applied religion (which is emot-sptl) Sci as sep fr Society (see Barbours Sci-Tech-Soc model!)

What’s this about? The S-R debate is a debate about where to allocate credibility (epistemic authority [Gieryn] What are the “boundaries”?

Each tells a certain type of truth? Sci does the facts; relig does the ethics

Limits of NOMA No ethics in Science? No Facts in Theology? Model is clear in Theory; Muddy in practice If non-overlapping, is either incomplete? Again, ignores the social sciences. The fact/value divide is even more troubled!

In this model NOTE: no “society” Multiple interaction (not either-or pair linkages) Religion is not reduced to ethics The heart is the “fuzzy stuff” in the middle None of the terms become reified – all are social action by actors

Social Sciences help us understand Better understanding of the issues at the centre of the debate. Understanding the S-R interaction itself. Inform the PRACTICE of science, or religion, including their ethical applications.

Boiling it Down: The S-R debate is collapsed into a debate about where to allocate “epistemic authority” (legitimate knowledge – processes!!!). It ignores the larger socio-cultural processes, the HOW is such legitimacy granted Scientists as the Priests of Modernity Those who gives us the answers, who spread the word.