Philosophy, Science and Religion: Philosophy and Religion from Coursera

Philosophy, Science and Religion mark three of the most fundamental modes of thinking about the world and our place in it. Are these modes incompatible? Put another way: is the intellectually responsible thing to do to ‘pick sides’ and identify with one of these approaches at the exclusion of others? Or, are they complementary or mutually supportive? As is typical of questions of such magnitude, the devil is in the details. For example, it is important to work out what is really distinctive about each of these ways of inquiring about the world. In order to gain some clarity here, we’ll be investigating what some of the current leading thinkers in philosophy, science and religion are actually doing.

This course, entitled ‘Philosophy and Religion’, is the second of three related courses in our Philosophy, Science and Religion Online series, and in this course we will ask important questions about the age-old debate between science and religion, such as:

• What kind of conflicts are there between religion and science?

• Does current cognitive science of religion effectively explain away God?

• If there is a God who has made us so that we can know him, why do some people not believe?

• Is belief in science also a kind of fundamentalism?

• What makes us good at getting, giving, or sharing, knowledge? Is this different when it is religious knowledge?

The first course in the Philosophy, Science and Religion series, 'Science and Philosophy' was launched early in 2017 and you can sign up to it at any time. The third course —‘Religion and Science’—will be launched early in 2018. Completing all three courses will give you a broader understanding of this fascinating topic. Look for:

• Philosophy, Science and Religion I: Science and Philosophy https://www.coursera.org/learn/philosophy-science-religion-1/

• Philosophy, Science and Religion III: Religion and Science

Upon successful completion of all three courses, students will:

(1) Understand the main parameters at stake in the current debate between science and religion.

(2) Have some familiarity with the relevant areas of science that feature in the debate—including cosmology, evolution, and the neurosciences—and will have begun to engage with them conceptually.

(3) Have encountered key philosophical approaches to the interface between science and religion, and will have had the opportunity to engage them in practice.

(4) Have embarked constructively in cross-disciplinary conversations.

(5) Have demonstrated an openness to personal growth through a commitment to dialogue across intellectual and spiritual boundaries.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the course

In this module Professor Duncan Pritchard welcomes you to the course and gives you a preview of our journey together over the next six weeks.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Strong foundation for learners interested in religious studies, especially Christianity and Islam

Examines the interface between philosophy, religion, and natural sciences, which is relevant to higher education in these subjects

Conducted by renowned instructors who are recognized for their work in their respective fields

Interdisciplinary with perspectives drawn from social and cognitive sciences

Taught by instructors from the University of Edinburgh, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Oxford, all prestigious institutions

Requires prerequisite knowledge on the topics of philosophy and religion

Reviews summary

Engaging exploration of philosophy and religion

According to students, this course offers a deep and thought-provoking exploration of complex topics at the intersection of philosophy and religion. Learners praise the excellent quality of the lectures and the intellectual rigor presented by the instructors. Many found the course structure logical and the content very engaging, appreciating the way it challenges assumptions and encourages critical thinking. Some reviews mention the readings can be challenging, but overall, the course provides a solid foundation and is considered a highly valuable learning experience.

Supplementary readings can be dense and require focus.

"Some of the readings were quite challenging and took time to digest."

"The material is heavy, requiring concentration and thoughtful engagement."

"Be prepared for some academic readings that complement the lectures."

"While helpful, the readings demanded significant intellectual effort."

Logical flow of topics and overall organization.

"The course structure was very logical and easy to follow."

"The modules built well upon each other, creating a coherent learning experience."

"I found the course to be well-organized and easy to navigate."

"The content was presented in a clear and well-paced manner."

Encourages thoughtful engagement with challenging ideas.

"This course successfully encourages critical thinking about complex issues."

"It challenged my pre-existing notions in a productive way."

"The content forced me to question and analyze different perspectives."

"I finished the course with a much more nuanced understanding."

Course material is intellectually stimulating and profound.

"A deep and thoughtful exploration of philosophical and religious questions."

"This course provides a stimulating intellectual challenge."

"The course content is very rich and covers deep philosophical issues."

"This course really made me think deeply about my own beliefs and assumptions."

Instructors are highly knowledgeable and engaging.

"The lectures and lecturers are really excellent."

"The lecturers were very engaging and explained complex topics very clearly."

"The lecturers were excellent - engaging, knowledgeable and balanced."

"All the lectures were excellent, delivered clearly and with obvious expertise."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Philosophy, Science and Religion: Philosophy and Religion with these activities:

Read 'The God Argument' by Quentin Smith

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Introduce key concepts and arguments in the philosophy of religion, providing a strong foundation for the course.

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Read the introduction and first chapter.
Read the remaining chapters, taking notes on the main arguments and criticisms.
Formulate your own thoughts on the arguments and write a short summary.

Read 'Science and Religion: A New History' by John Brooke

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Provide a historical perspective on the relationship between science and religion, enhancing understanding of the current debate.

View Science and Religion: Some Historical... on Amazon

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Read the introduction and first three chapters.
Read the remaining chapters, paying attention to the changing attitudes towards science and religion over time.
Write a brief essay discussing the key themes and insights from the book.

Explore the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy articles on 'Science and Religion'

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of different philosophical perspectives on science and religion.

Browse courses on Science and Religion

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Read the main SEP article on 'Science and Religion'.
Follow the links to related articles, such as 'The Conflict Thesis' and 'Naturalism'.
Take notes on the key arguments and counterarguments presented.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Engage in group discussions on the course forums

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Deepen understanding of the course material through active discussions and peer feedback.

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Join the course forums and introduce yourself.
Participate in ongoing discussions, asking questions and responding to others.
Start a new discussion thread on a topic you're particularly interested in.

Develop an annotated bibliography of key resources on science and religion

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Expand your knowledge base and facilitate future research by organizing relevant sources.

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Conduct a literature search to identify key resources on science and religion.
Create a digital or physical bibliography, including full citations and annotations.
Annotate each entry with a brief summary, evaluation, and key takeaways.
Organize the bibliography thematically or chronologically.
Share your bibliography with others who may find it useful.

Write a blog post on a topic related to science and religion

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Synthesize your understanding and develop a unique perspective on a topic of interest.

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Choose a specific topic related to science and religion.
Research the topic thoroughly, gathering information from academic sources.
Write a draft of your blog post, presenting your arguments and insights.
Revise and edit your post, ensuring clarity, organization, and originality.
Publish your post on a relevant platform and share it with others.

Contribute to an open-source project related to science and religion

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Apply your knowledge and skills while making a direct contribution to the field.

Browse courses on Science

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Find an open-source project related to science and religion.
Review the project's documentation and familiarize yourself with its goals.
Identify an area where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
Make a pull request to the project, adding your contributions.
Engage with the project's community and provide feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Philosophy, Science and Religion: Philosophy and Religion will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Theologian

Theologians study the nature of God and the relationship between God and the world. This course may be useful for theologians who want to specialize in the philosophy of religion or the relationship between science and theology. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different theological approaches to these topics, which can help theologians develop new insights and theories.

See salaries and explore the career path for Theologian

Philosopher

Philosophers study the fundamental nature of reality, knowledge, and existence. This course may be useful for philosophers who want to specialize in the philosophy of religion or the relationship between science and philosophy. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different philosophical approaches to these topics, which can help philosophers develop new insights and theories.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philosopher

Ethics Consultant

Ethics consultants advise organizations and individuals on ethical issues. This course may be useful for ethics consultants who want to specialize in religious or philosophical ethics. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different ethical theories and approaches, which can help ethics consultants provide sound advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethics Consultant

Lawyer

Lawyers provide legal advice and representation to clients. This course may be useful for lawyers who want to specialize in religious or philosophical law. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different legal issues that arise in these areas, which can help lawyers provide effective legal advice and representation to their clients.

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College Professor

College professors teach and conduct research in higher education institutions. This course may be useful for college professors who want to teach or research in the areas of philosophy, science, and religion. The course can provide a comprehensive overview of the different approaches to these fields and the debates that surround them.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research in higher education institutions. This course may be useful for professors who want to teach or research in the areas of philosophy, science, and religion. The course can provide a comprehensive overview of the different approaches to these fields and the debates that surround them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. This course may be useful for journalists who want to specialize in religious or philosophical topics. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different perspectives on these topics, which can help journalists write informed and insightful articles that resonate with readers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Editor

Editors review, edit, and publish written content for various media, including books, magazines, newspapers, and websites. This course may be useful for editors who want to specialize in religious or philosophical topics. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different perspectives on these topics, which can help editors make informed decisions about what content to publish and how to present it.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Psychologist

Psychologists study the human mind and behavior. This course may be useful for psychologists who want to specialize in the psychology of religion or the relationship between science and psychology. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different psychological approaches to these topics, which can help psychologists develop new insights and theories.

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Librarian

Librarians help people find and access information. This course may be useful for librarians who want to specialize in religious or philosophical collections. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different types of resources available in these areas, which can help librarians build and maintain comprehensive collections that meet the needs of their users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Museum curator

Museum curators oversee the care and preservation of museum collections. This course may be useful for museum curators who want to specialize in religious or philosophical artifacts. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different types of artifacts available in these areas, which can help curators develop and maintain exhibitions that engage and educate visitors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Grant Writer

Grant writers write proposals to secure funding for various projects and organizations. This course may be useful for grant writers who want to specialize in religious or philosophical projects. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different perspectives on these topics, which can help grant writers write compelling proposals that resonate with potential funders.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research and analyze public policy issues. This course may be useful for policy analysts who want to specialize in religious or philosophical issues. The course can provide a deep understanding of the different perspectives on these topics, which can help policy analysts develop informed and effective policy recommendations.

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Chaplain

Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional care to individuals in various settings, such as hospitals, prisons, and the military. This course may be useful for chaplains who want to deepen their understanding of the relationship between philosophy, science, and religion. The course can provide insights into the different ways of thinking about the world and our place in it, which can help chaplains better understand the perspectives and needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee various aspects of human resources within an organization, including hiring, training, and employee relations. This course may be useful for human resources managers who want to create a more inclusive and respectful workplace. The course can provide insights into the different ways of thinking about diversity and inclusion, which can help human resources managers develop effective policies and practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager