Science and religion : clash of worldviews

Abstract

These last decades have seen an enormous amount of literature on the relation between science and religion. The current majority view seems to hold that the conflict between the two disciplines is unjustified and that constructive dialogue should be the way forward. In this paper, I want to focus on the different kinds of conflict that are relevant in this context. In the first section, I will determine the main philosophical sources of the conflict, something that both scientists and theologians often neglect. Here, I will highlight not only the important conceptual tools needed to engage correctly in the evaluation and development of this debate but also the deeper attitudes, emotions and spirituality that are implied. In the following section, I will then examine carefully whether the idea of conflict is as abhorrent as many scholars assume it is. Could there be benefits in retaining the claim that these two disciplines are indeed conflictual in the sense that they are essentially different and that they can often drive the human spirit in different directions?