"Science is not restricted to naturalism for religious
reasons but
rather for methodological reasons. IFF people want to
propose ways to
add the supernatural to an empirical examination by
science, then all
they need to do is propose how."
There are many methodologies invoked by scientists.
There is not only one METHOD of science. Therefore, to
say that science IS RESTRICTED to naturalism is
patently absurd. No one can patent science as if their
definition of it were the only one, such as an
authoritarian dictator might like to do.
MN/PN continues to be a philosophical red herring, a
transition dichotomy on the way to better
understanding that eclipses the dichotomy altogether.
Likewise, the only alternative to 'natural' is not
'supernatural.' I know that in some contexts it is
presented that way, but that does not make it the only
way. There are sciences that study things that are not
'natural,' just as there are also examples of 'things
that don't evolve.'
This concept of 'theological naturalism' could cause
quite a stir at ASA. Facing up to it would help people
to answer the question that I posed many months ago:
how can a person be a natural scientist and not an
ideological naturalist? Aren't theology and naturalism
contradictory terms?
"'theological naturalism' is an overlooked but
critical issue in understanding the current face-off
between religion and science."
Rather than tarrying in MN/PN dichotomy, a more
forward, integrative approach (methodological,
philosophical, theological, scientific - all forms of
naturalism?) is possible that acknowledges the
rightful role of science, theology and philosophy
together. Though despair and even cynicism may at
times appear, schisms can be healed with care, hope
and faith in what unites us.
G.A.
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Received on Sun Jul 15 16:48:15 2007
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.8 : Sun Jul 15 2007 - 16:48:15 EDT