IS CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY WELL SUITED TO ENTER THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN SCIENCE AND HUMANISM?

Author: Oviedo, Lluís

Source: Zygon, Volume 41, Number 4, December 2006 , pp. 825-842(18)

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Abstract:

The last several years have seen the emergence of increasing hostility from philosophers toward some pronouncements on human nature by the biological and cognitive sciences. Theology is also concerned about such matters, even if there have been, until now, few theologians involved in the discussion. This essay examines both the reasons that justify a neutral position of theology in the face of scientific disqualification of human uniqueness and the reasons to engage apologetically in such a debate on the side of humanists. Constructing a synthesis, I propose a greater theological involvement and concern in the discussion already underway, even if it means accepting some trade-offs.

Keywords: apologetics; cognitive science; humanism; Niklas Luhmann; sociobiology; theology and science

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2006.00780.x

Affiliations: 1: Professor of Theological Anthropology, The Pontifical University, Antonianum, Rome, Via Merulana 124, 00185 Rome, Italy, and invited Professor of Theology and Culture, The Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome;, Email: loviedo@ofm.org.

Publication date: 2006-12-01