Theism and Explanation

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Religious
Cover of the book Theism and Explanation by Gregory W. Dawes, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gregory W. Dawes ISBN: 9781135841348
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 10, 2012
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Gregory W. Dawes
ISBN: 9781135841348
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 10, 2012
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In this timely study, Dawes defends the methodological naturalism of the sciences. Though religions offer what appear to be explanations of various facts about the world, the scientist, as scientist, will not take such proposed explanations seriously. Even if no natural explanation were available, she will assume that one exists. Is this merely a sign of atheistic prejudice, as some critics suggest? Or are there good reasons to exclude from science explanations that invoke a supernatural agent? On the one hand, Dawes concedes the bare possibility that talk of divine action could constitute a potential explanation of some state of affairs, while noting that the conditions under which this would be true are unlikely ever to be fulfilled. On the other hand, he argues that a proposed explanation of this kind would rate poorly, when measured against our usual standards of explanatory virtue.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this timely study, Dawes defends the methodological naturalism of the sciences. Though religions offer what appear to be explanations of various facts about the world, the scientist, as scientist, will not take such proposed explanations seriously. Even if no natural explanation were available, she will assume that one exists. Is this merely a sign of atheistic prejudice, as some critics suggest? Or are there good reasons to exclude from science explanations that invoke a supernatural agent? On the one hand, Dawes concedes the bare possibility that talk of divine action could constitute a potential explanation of some state of affairs, while noting that the conditions under which this would be true are unlikely ever to be fulfilled. On the other hand, he argues that a proposed explanation of this kind would rate poorly, when measured against our usual standards of explanatory virtue.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Critical Gerontology Comes of Age by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Management Frameworks by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book The Birth of The Prophet Muhammad by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Words That Wound by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Contemporary Psychoanalytic Field Theory by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Realism in International Relations and International Political Economy by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Critical Political Economy of the Media by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Teaching Academic ESL Writing by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book The Development of Science and Technology in Nineteenth-Century Britain by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Aspects of Capital Investment in Great Britain 1750-1850 by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Institutional Research Initiatives in Higher Education by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Themes of the American Civil War by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Lessons to Learn by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book Parental Control of Television Broadcasting by Gregory W. Dawes
Cover of the book The Order of the Solar Temple by Gregory W. Dawes
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy