THEOLOGY AND THE SCIENCE WARS: WHO OWNS HUMAN NATURE?

Author: Peterson, Gregory R.

Source: Zygon, Volume 41, Number 4, December 2006 , pp. 853-862(10)

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Abstract:

Lluís Oviedo examines in his article the current conflict over human nature and the role of the sciences in the debate, suggesting that there may be a role for theology to play as well. In this essay I examine and respond to some aspects of Oviedo's article and suggest that the nature of the conflict needs to be nuanced to understand it as a conflict not between scientific and philosophical/social-scientific views of human nature but among scientists, social scientists, and philosophers over the role of science in thinking about human nature. I analyze some of the obstacles for theology's becoming involved and propose that thinking about what are distinctively theological questions as opposed to scientific ones may be an appropriate starting point.

Keywords: biocognitivism; cognitive science of religion; Lluís Oviedo; science wars

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2006.00782.x

Affiliations: 1: Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion at South Dakota State University and Program Coordinator of the Philosophy and Religion Department, Box 504 Scobey 336, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007;, Email: greg.peterson@sdstate.edu.

Publication date: 2006-12-01