Philosophy, Science and Religion: Science and Philosophy 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 ‘Science and Philosophy’, is the first of three related courses in our Philosophy, Science and Religion Online series. The first launch is now closed to enrolments. We will launch a new version of the course in July 2018. The course will address four themes each presented by guest lecturers:

1. Are Science and Religion in conflict? (Professor Michael Murray, Franklin & Marshall)

2. Neuroscience and Free Will (Professor Al Mele, Florida State)

3. Creationism and Evolutionary Biology--Science or Pseudo-science? (Dr. Mark Harris and Dr. David de Pomerai, University of Edinburgh)

4. Do Scientific claims constitute absolute truths? (Professor Martin Kusch, University of Vienna)

The second and third courses in the Philosophy, Science and Religion series are ‘Philosophy and Religion’ and ‘Religion and Science’. They may be taken in any order and completing all three courses will give you a broader understanding of this fascinating topic. Look for:

• Philosophy, Science and Religion II: Philosophy and Religion

• Philosophy, Science and Religion III: Religion and Science

Check out our trailer to hear more: https://youtu.be/OifqTI5VKek

You can also follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EdiPhilOnline and you can follow the hashtag #psrmooc

What's inside

Syllabus

Philosophy, Science and Religion: Introduction and Overview

In this module, Dr Orestis Palermos provides a short introduction and overview of the key themes that will be discussed in the ‘Science and Philosophy’ course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides an overview of the relationship between philosophy, science, and religion

Suitable for individuals with an interest in the intersections of philosophy, science, and religion

Features guest lecturers who are experts in their respective fields, including neuroscience, philosophy of science, and evolutionary biology

Provides a strong foundation for understanding the philosophical foundations of science and religion, making it relevant for academic and personal growth

Covers topics such as the conflict between science and religion, free will, evolution, and the nature of scientific claims, making it comprehensive and engaging

Reviews summary

Exploring science, philosophy, and religion intersection

According to learners, this course offers an intellectually stimulating exploration of complex themes at the intersection of science, philosophy, and religion. Students appreciate the insights from expert guest lecturers who present challenging concepts like free will, the science-religion conflict, and the nature of scientific truth. The course is often described as well-structured and providing a good overview, although some find the content demanding and suggest it may be beneficial to have some prior background in one or more of the fields. Overall, it's seen as a rewarding experience for those interested in these profound questions, serving as a solid introduction or first part of a three-course series.

Modules are well-organized and easy to navigate.

"The course structure with distinct modules for each topic worked very well."

"I found the syllabus easy to follow and the progression of topics logical."

"The course materials were well-organized within each module."

"The structure made it easy to focus on one complex topic at a time."

Successfully links philosophy, science, and religion.

"I found the course's approach to linking science and philosophy particularly valuable."

"It's rare to find a course that treats the relationship between science, religion, and philosophy with such depth."

"This course gave me a much better understanding of how these three domains interact and sometimes conflict."

"The interdisciplinary approach helped me see the bigger picture surrounding these complex issues."

Insights from leading academics in the field.

"The guest lecturers were excellent, true experts who were passionate about their subjects."

"Hearing directly from professors like Al Mele on free will was a highlight of the course for me."

"I appreciated the different perspectives brought by each guest lecturer on their specific topic."

"The expertise of the lecturers made the complex material accessible yet rigorous."

Deep dives into complex, thought-provoking topics.

"The course material was incredibly thought-provoking and challenging, pushing me to consider new perspectives on familiar topics."

"I really enjoyed the way the course explored the nuances of the science-religion debate; it wasn't simplistic."

"This course provided a fascinating look at topics like free will from a philosophical and scientific standpoint. Very stimulating."

"The lectures raised many interesting questions that stayed with me long after the module ended."

Content can be challenging; prior knowledge helps.

"Some parts of the philosophical arguments were quite dense and required re-watching the lectures."

"I felt a little lost on some scientific points as I don't have a strong science background."

"This course is not a light introduction; be prepared to think deeply and potentially do extra reading."

"While rewarding, the concepts were definitely challenging and required focused attention."

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: Science and Philosophy with these activities:

Watch video tutorials on the history of philosophy.

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Gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and evolution of philosophical thought.

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Search online for video tutorials on the history of philosophy.
Select tutorials that cover specific periods or philosophers of interest.

Solve logical reasoning puzzles

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Enhance critical thinking and reasoning skills essential for understanding philosophical and scientific arguments.

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Find a collection of logical reasoning puzzles online or in books.
Attempt to solve the puzzles using logical reasoning and deduction.

Review existing knowledge of key concepts in philosophy, science, and religion

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Review foundational knowledge to help solidify learning.

Browse courses on Philosophy

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Review notes or textbooks from previous coursework in philosophy, science, and religion.
Attend any refresher workshops or tutorials.

Five other activities

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Develop a mind map to outline the major themes and arguments in each lecture.

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Create visual representations to help organize and comprehend course material.

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Watch the lecture and take notes on the main ideas and arguments.
Identify the key concepts and their relationships.
Use a mind mapping tool or draw a diagram to organize the information.

Join a study group to discuss course concepts.

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Engage with peers to clarify understanding, exchange perspectives, and deepen learning.

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Reach out to classmates and form or join a study group.
Schedule regular meetings to discuss course material, share insights, and prepare for assessments.

Read Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

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Gain insights into the evolution of human consciousness and the nature of our place in the universe.

View Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 3: The... on Amazon

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Read the book in small sections to enhance comprehension.
Highlight important passages and write down key takeaways.

Attend a workshop on scientific research methods.

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Develop practical skills in conducting scientific research

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Research and identify a reputable workshop on scientific research methods.
Register and attend the workshop.

Volunteer at a science museum or educational institution.

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Gain practical experience in communicating scientific and philosophical concepts to diverse audiences.

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Research and identify science museums or educational institutions that offer volunteer opportunities.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer positions.

Career center

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

Philosopher

This course covers the history of scientific philosophy and provides a strong foundation in the philosophies of some of science's most prominent thinkers and practitioners. With this history and depth of knowledge, you'll be well-prepared to succeed in your career as a Philosopher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philosopher

Science Writer

This course provides a broad overview of the relationship between philosophy, science, and religion. Understanding the history and current state of this relationship will prepare you to write in-depth pieces on a variety of topics in science and philosophy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Research Scientist

This course provides a strong foundation in the history and philosophy of science, which will be invaluable as you conduct your research. By studying the debates surrounding the relationship between science and religion, you will be well-equipped to critically evaluate and understand your own research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Science Teacher

This course will help you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to teach science in a way that is engaging and informative for your students. By understanding the history and philosophy of science, you will be able to better explain complex scientific concepts to your students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

Minister

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between science and religion, which will equip you to better serve your congregation. By understanding the complex history and current debates surrounding this topic, you will be able to provide thoughtful and informed guidance to your parishioners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Minister

Theologian

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Theologian. By studying the relationship between science and religion, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the complex issues that theologians face.

See salaries and explore the career path for Theologian

Religious Studies Professor

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Religious Studies Professor. By studying the relationship between science and religion, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the complex issues that religious studies professors face.

See salaries and explore the career path for Religious Studies Professor

Science Policy Analyst

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Science Policy Analyst. By studying the complex relationship between science and religion, you will be able to provide insightful analysis and guidance to policymakers.

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Science Journalist

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Science Journalist. By studying the relationship between science and religion, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex issues that science journalists face.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Journalist

Science Communicator

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Science Communicator. By studying the relationship between science and religion, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex issues that science communicators face.

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Science Educator

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Science Educator. By studying the relationship between science and religion, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex issues that science educators face.

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Science Historian

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Science Historian. By studying the relationship between science and religion, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex issues that science historians face.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Historian

Science Museum Curator

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Science Museum Curator. By studying the relationship between science and religion, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex issues that science museum curators face.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Museum Curator

Science Librarian

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Science Librarian. By studying the relationship between science and religion, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex issues that science librarians face.

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Science Administrator

This course may be useful for those interested in pursuing a career as a Science Administrator. By studying the relationship between science and religion, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex issues that science administrators face.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Administrator