The Justification of Science and the Rationality of Religious Belief (Oxford Philosophical Monographs) - Softcover

Banner, Michael C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198240198 ISBN 13: 9780198240198

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1992

Synopsis

In this critical examination of recent accounts of the nature of science and of its justification given by Kuhn, Popper, Lakatos, Laudan, and Newton-Smith, Banner contends that models of scientific rationality which are used in criticism of religious beliefs are in fact often inadequate as accounts of the nature of science. He argues that a realist philosophy of science both reflects the character of science and scientific justifications, and suggests that religious belief could be given a justification of the same sort.

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Review

`interesting and informative monograph'Times Higher Education Supplement

`very clearly written and contains useful summaries of a number of important discussions'Theology

`The book not only seeks to uphold the place of rationality in both science and religion, it is itself a superb example of the use of rationality in this area.'Journal of Theological Studies

Synopsis

Believers and non-believers often take it for granted that traditional religious faith is, in principle, incapable of the sort of justification which might be given to a scientific theory. Yet how are scientific theories justified and is it the case that religious belief cannot satisfy the same standards of rationality? Based on a critical examination of recent accounts of the nature of science and of its justification given by Kuhn, Popper, Lakatos, Laudan, and Newton-Smith, this book contends that models of scientific rationality which are used in criticism of religious belief are in fact often inadequate as accounts of the nature of science. It is argued that a realist philosophy of science both reflects the character of science and scientific justification, and also suggests that religious belief could be given a justification of the same sort.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198240198
• ISBN 13: 9780198240198
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 206