The Methods of Science and Religion: Epistemologies in Conflict

(Hardback)

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Tiddy Smith argues that the conflict between science and religion is ultimately a disagreement about what kinds of methods we should use for investigating the world. Specifically, scientists and religious folk disagree over which belief-forming methods are reliable. In the course of justifying any scientific claim, scientists typically appeal to methods which generate agreement between independent investigators, and which converge on the same answers to the same questions. In contrast, religious claims are typically justified by methods which neither generate agreement nor converge in their results (for example, dreams, visions, mystical experiences etc.). This fundamental difference in methodologies can neatly account for the conflict between science and religion.

Reviews

In his sterling book, The Methods of Science and Religion: Epistemologies in Conflict, Tiddy Smith takes on all the history and philosophy of science wimpish revisionists (like me), arguing that, contrary to now-established opinion, there has long been a conflict between science and religion, there is still such a conflict, and science wins hands down. The book is irreverent, provocative, learned, and tremendous fun. Get ahead of the crowd. Read the book and start writing your refutation! -- Michael Ruse, Florida State University
It is common today to hear that religion and science are complementary and equally legitimate ways for people to come to know the world. But in this approachable book, Tiddy Smith argues that religious communities are committed to one set of methods of justification and the scientific community to another, and the methods of science out-compete those of religion. This sharp book will be useful for those thinking not only about the relationship of science and religion, but about the epistemology of religion, the methodological roots of disagreement, or naturalism in the academy. -- Kevin Schilbrack, Appalachian State University

Author Bio

Tiddy Smith teaches philosophy at the University of Indonesia.