Can science and Islam coexist? Sort of. Maybe. With difficulty. Taner Edis Department of Physics Truman State University

Theistic problems with science Modern science has become relentlessly naturalistic: –Physics & Cosmology: quantum randomness, no creation. –Biology: No intelligent design. –Cognitive neuroscience: no soul. Islam is full of supernaturalism: gods and demons, revelation, souls, etc… 2012Trinity2

Specifically Muslim problems Currently lagging far behind in science. Basic science is a Western import. Popular response is often pseudoscientific. Example: world’s strongest creationism. 2012Trinity3

Conservatives Let’s look at some influential conservatives first. All rhetorically very enthusiastic about science, but very traditional in interpreting religion. Creationists, or at least proponents of a traditional form of “intelligent design.” 2012Trinity4

2012Trinity5 Adnan Oktar (Harun Yahya)

2012Trinity6 Sayyid Abul A’la Al-Mawdudi

2012Trinity7 Fethullah Gülen

Moderates People who have a stronger reputation as devout intellectuals. Flirt with creationism, but tend toward guided evolution and evolution that excludes humans, since the Quran speaks of the special creation of humans. (al-Hijr 15: 26-44, Ta-Ha 20: and more…) 2012Trinity8

2012Trinity9 Süleyman Ateş

2012Trinity10 Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Natural scientists Usually preserve some notion of intelligent design, though often more vague than creationist versions. Arbitrary philosophical limitations on science, in order to defend faith. Dubious reinterpretation of scripture. Under pressure by conservatives. 2012Trinity11

2012Trinity12 Nidhal Guessoum

2012Trinity13 Ehab Abouheif

Harmony? Current popular, conservative varieties of Islam actively conflict with certain areas of modern science. Liberal forms of Islam hold promise of institutional accommodation with science, but are politically weak. Supernaturalism will lead to conflict, unless science changes radically. 2012Trinity14