Episode 15: Philosophy: Epistemological Categories (Continued)

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Del curso dictado por University of Alberta

Science & Religion 101

26 calificaciones

University of Alberta

Science & Religion 101

26 calificaciones

This course examines the nature of both science and religion and attempts to explore the possible relationships between them. The primary purpose is to dispel the popular myth that science and religion are entrenched in a never-ending conflict. As a result, this course argues that if the limits of both science and religion are respected, then their relationship can be complementary. Topics include: Science and Religion Categories and Foundational Principles, Definitions of Science and Religion, Science-Religion Models and Relationships, Intelligent Design and Natural Revelation, the Galileo Affair, Geology and Noah’s Flood, Evolution and Darwin’s Religious Beliefs, the Modern “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debate, the Problem of Evil, and Interpretations of the Biblical Accounts of Origins in Genesis 1-11. The course employs a Constructive Teaching Style in order that students can develop their personal views on the relationship between science and religion and on each of the topics listed above. St. Joseph's College is a Catholic, undergraduate, liberal arts college on the University of Alberta campus. It is an independent institution that is affiliated with the University of Alberta.

De la lección

Categories & Principles II & III

In this final section on Categories and Principles, we will consider foundational and religious epistemological (theory of knowledge) categories. In particular, does a belief in God, or a lack of belief in God, impact the step of faith or intellect jump in the Metaphysics-Physics Principle? This week also introduces the second foundational principle of this course termed “The Message-Incident Principle.” This is a hermeneutical principle for interpreting religious texts dealing with statements about the natural world. In order to develop a peaceful relationship between Science and Religion, it is critical to understand that religious texts like the Bible feature an ancient understanding of nature (i.e., an ancient science). During this week we also outline the basic positions on the origin of the universe and life—Young Earth Creation, Progressive Creation, Evolutionary Creation, Deistic Evolution, and Dysteleological Evolution.

Episode 14: Philosophy: Epistemological Categories4:54

Episode 15: Philosophy: Epistemological Categories (Continued)6:16

Episode 16: Philosophy: Epistemological Categories (Continued)6:01

Episode 17: Hermeneutical Categories5:40

Episode 18: Eisegesis, Exegesis & Hermeneutical Horizons8:46

Episode 19: Hermeneutical Gaps & Biblical Inerrancy5:33

Episode 20: Categories of Biblical Statements7:16

Episode 21: Categories of Poetic Language & Phenomenological Perspective4:57

Episode 22: Categories of Biblical Concordism & Correspondence6:45

Episode 23: The Message-Incident Principle & Origins Debate: General Categories6:25

Episode 24: Origins Debate: General Categories (Continued)6:39

Episode 25: Origins Debate: Specific Categories5:34

Episode 26: Practical Considerations5:43

Episode 27: Conclusion: Categories & Principles 1-35:08

Episode 28: Conclusion: Categories & Principles 1-3 (Continued)3:11

Hebrew Alphabet8:34

Conoce a los instructores

Denis Lamoureux
Associate Professor
St. Joseph's College

Episode 15.

There are some interesting implications if we have

a dysteleological brain that was produced by nothing but 4Fs.

For example, why should we trust our brains, and

in particular, why should we trust our knowledge?

Because in a dysteleological world, our brain was never intended for

knowledge, or the pursuit of truth.

From this atheistic perspective, our brain was built only for

fighting, fleeing, feeding, and fertilizing.

And it was never intended for philosophising and

thinking about complex issues, like the relationship between science and religion.

It's worth noting that this 4Fs brain argument comes from Alvin Plantinga.

He's one of the most important philosophers in the world today,

and yes, he is a Christian.

A second religious epistemological category is mystery.

This deals with knowledge that is beyond the human ability to know.

In other words, these are ideas that the human mind will never grasp.

For example, a religious mystery is, where did God come from?

Similarly, there are secular mysteries,

suQh as, where did energy and matter come from?

Even famous scientists like Albert Einstein refer to mystery.

In Quote 7 he states, the eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility.

Of course, for religious individuals, this comprehensibility, or

rationality in nature, is not a mystery,

because they would say that God created a world reflecting intelligent design.

A couple comments regarding the notion of mystery.

This is not so-called small m mysteries, like medical mysteries.

For example, a cure for cancer will be found.

Rather, this is, if you wish, capital M Mystery, and

concepts humans will never understand.

This religious notion of mystery reflects the creaturely limits of the human mind.

In other words,

God created us in such a way that there are certain things we will never know.

It's worth noting that the word mystery appears over 30 times in the Bible.

Here are two of the best known passages.

Quote 8 is from Job 11:7.

Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

In other words, our ability to know is limited and

definitely not as great as that of God.

Quote 9 cites 1 Corinthians 13.

Now we see but a poor reflection.

Then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part, then I shall know fully.

This verse implies that what are mysteries

to us in this life will be removed in the next life.

Other well-known verses on mystery can be found in supplementary quotes 16 to 18.

Our final religious epistemological category deals with the impact of sin.

This is the idea that knowledge is influenced by the spiritual state of

a person.

To be sure, this is quite a controversial notion.

However, does our relationship with God, or

the lack of a relationship with God, affect our ability to know?

For example, and to put this rather bluntly,

does being a God-hater affect a person's ability to think clearly and rationally?

To help you think about these questions,

I'd like you to read Richard Dawkins' view on God in supplementary quote 19.

And after you read this passage, ask yourself the question whether or

not Dawkins is being reasonable and

logical when it comes to the topic of God and religion.

The bible has a position on sin and epistemology.

Quote 10 comes from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans.

He states, for although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor

gave thanks to him.

But their thinking became futile.

Now there's an epistemological statement.

Continuing, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and

exchanged the glory of the immortal God for image, in other words, idols,

made to look like mortal man, and birds, and animals, and reptiles.

A couple comments.

It's important to note that in the Bible, the words fool and

foolish do not mean intellectually stupid.

A fool is someone who's missing out on the best part of life,

which is having a relationship with God.

In Quote 10, we can see that there's a connection between our ability to think

and the first two commands in the Ten Commandments.

People who reject commandment number one, which is God is number one,

then break commandment number two,

and commit idolatry by worshipping humans, birds, reptiles, and other animals.

Let's close this episode with one of the most provocative yet

important questions in this course.

If there is a commandment number one problem,

then is there also a knowledge problem?

Or to put this question even more precisely,

does sin impact our epistemology?

What's your opinion?

To be sure, you don't often hear this idea in most universities.

But as a university professor, I want to be open to all ideas and

all possibilities when I build my personal world view.

As always, you decide.

If we reject God, will this impact our epistemology?

End of episode.

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