Religion and Science, Faith and Reason

Read
the article entitled “Religion and Science, Faith and Reason,” by
Daniel Garber, in Criterion (University of
Chicago) Winter 2002. Then answer the indicated questions based on the
article (cf. Course Content, Week 1). This paper should be 3-4 pp in
length (1050-1400 vwords). Write this assignment as an essay (do not include the
questions) with Chicago documentation. A solid paper should have an
introduction, body, and conclusion.

1. Identify and describe Ian Barbour’s four-fold
schema that encompasses all
possible views about the relationship between religion and science. Use at
least one historical example to illustrate the conflict model. Pay particular attention as well to the
integration model and how the French Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin illustrates
this model (Sourcebook, pp. 25-26). After describing these four views, evaluate your
own position on the relationship between science
and religion.
2. Pascal was deeply pessimistic about the ability of human
reason by itself to lead to faith. In one of his most famous
quotations, Pascal says: “We
know the truth not only through our reason but also through our heart. It
is through the latter that we know first principles, and reason, which has
nothing to do with it, tries in vain to refute them….The heart has its
reasons of which reason knows nothing: we know this in countless ways.” Identify
those truths that come from the heart. Is faith one of those experiences
that cannot be proven? Evaluate Pascal’s position based on what you have
learned about the relationship between faith and reason. Does Pascal remind you of any other writers? How
does this differ from Aquinas’ view (see Sourcebook,
pp. 78; 117-119)? Elaborate.
3. Explain and evaluate the author’s position that mind-sets give rise to certain beliefs.
For example, do people believe in angels and/or devils because they are
predisposed to and then find evidence of such spirits while others simply
cannot believe because they do not have the mind-set that gives rise to such
belief? How would you assess the author’s views on mind-sets? Apply this
to our own personal experience.

Last Completed Projects