202503 SE Science and Religion
winter semester 2022/2023 | Last update: 23.06.2023 | Place course on memo listAfter successful completion of the course, the student will be familiar with the most influential positions taken on the relation between science and religious belief and is able to identify the reasons and motivation that underlie those positions.
This course addresses the following questions:
(1) What is the relation between science and religious belief? Are they in conflict with each other, or are they compatible?
(2) What, if anything, makes it the case that science is more than a mere opinion? Likewise, what, if anything, makes it the case the religious belief, especially Christian belief, is more than a mere opinion? These questions for the heart of the epistemology of science, as well as the epistemology of religious belief.
We use historically informed argumentation, plus conceptual analysis.
Mid-term paper, and a final paper.
- Peter Harrison, The Territories of Science and Religion (Chicago/London: University of Chicago Press, 2015).
- Alvin Plantinga, Where the Conflict Really Lies. Science, Religion, and Naturalism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011).
- Some additional papers.
None.
This course will be offered on-site next winter semester.
- Interdisciplinary and additional courses
- Faculty of Catholic Theology
- Doctoral Programme Catholic Theology according to the Curriculum 2009 (180 ECTS-Credits, 6 Semesters)
- Doctor of Philosophy Programme Faculty of Theology according to the Curriculum 2009 (180 ECTS-Credits, 6 Semesters)
- Master's Programme Philosophy of Religion according to the Curriculum 2022 (120 ECTS-Credits, 4 Semesters)
- SDG 3 - Good health and well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
- SDG 4 - Quality education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
- SDG 5 - Gender equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
- SDG 10 - Reducing inequalities: Reduce income inequality within and among countries.
- SDG 16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.