Overview
Are science and religion in conflict? Beginning with this question, the paper examines the nature of religion and science and the differing conceptions of knowledge found in scientific and religious communities are examined.
Are science and religion in conflict? The idea that religion and science are in conflict was popular in the nineteenth century. It has recently been revived by the 'new atheists', writers such as Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins. But is it true? What is the relation between science and religion? Are they really at war? The paper invites students to answer this question by offering an analysis of the differing conceptions of knowledge to be found in scientific and religious communities.
About this paper
| Paper title | Science, Religion and Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Subject | Religious Studies |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 points
- Restriction
- RELS 325
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Contact
Professor Greg Dawes: gregory.dawes@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Religion website: www.otago.ac.nz/religion
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Professor Greg Dawes
- Paper Structure
The paper has four parts:
Part One: Creationism as Case Study
Part Two: Locating the Conflict
Part Three: Norms and Knowledge
Part Four: Science as a Religion
- Teaching Arrangements
There will be three classes each week, with one devoted to tutorial-style discussion.
- Textbooks
- A coursebook has been developed for this paper.
- Course outline
- View sample course outline for RELS 225
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to
- Describe the nineteenth-century conflict thesis and the recent responses to it
- Offer a careful analysis of the various uses of the terms 'science' and 'religion'
- Describe the various dimensions of religion and the debates regarding the scope of science
- Analyse the conception of knowledge that is dominant in religious communities
Overview
Are science and religion in conflict? Beginning with this question, the paper examines the nature of religion and science and the differing conceptions of knowledge found in scientific and religious communities are examined.
Are science and religion in conflict? The idea that religion and science are in conflict was popular in the nineteenth century. It has recently been revived by the 'new atheists', writers such as Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins. But is it true? What is the relation between science and religion? Are they really at war? The paper invites students to answer this question by offering an analysis of the differing conceptions of knowledge to be found in scientific and religious communities.
About this paper
| Paper title | Science, Religion and Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Subject | Religious Studies |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2027 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 points
- Restriction
- RELS 325
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Contact
Professor Greg Dawes: gregory.dawes@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Professor Greg Dawes
- Paper Structure
The paper has four parts:
- Part One: Creationism as Case Study
- Part Two: Locating the Conflict
- Part Three: Norms and Knowledge
- Part Four: Science as a Religion
- Teaching Arrangements
There will be three classes each week, with one devoted to tutorial-style discussion.
- Textbooks
- A coursebook has been developed for this paper.
- Course outline
- View sample course outline for RELS 225
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to:
- Describe the nineteenth-century conflict thesis and the recent responses to it
- Offer a careful analysis of the various uses of the terms 'science' and 'religion'
- Describe the various dimensions of religion and the debates regarding the scope of science
- Analyse the conception of knowledge that is dominant in religious communities