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.

Neuroscience and Free Will

In this module Professor Al Mele presents experiments that purport to show that there is no such thing as free will. He then presents three criticisms of this interpretation of the evidence.

Are Science and Religion in Conflict?

Guest lecturer: Dr Michael Murray. Are science and religion compatible with one another? Are they incompatible? What do these questions even mean, and how do we go about answering them? Philosophical tools are helpful to make progress with these very important questions. In this module, Dr Michael Murray offers a philosophical analysis of the complex and easily misunderstood issue of the relationship between science and religion.

Do Scientific Claims Constitute Absolute Truths?

Guest lecturer: Professor Martin Kusch. This module will focus on a central challenge for scientific knowledge: Are there any scientific claims that are absolutely true, or are they all true relative to the system of thought that generated them? If we accept the latter, does this also hold true of any claims we might make, including within the domains of philosophy and religion?

Evolution and Creationism

This module starts with Dr. Mark Harris presenting the history of creationist views and what is claimed about evolution by different creationist approaches. Professor David de Pomerai then goes on to explain what evolutionary biology is.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Thoughtful philosophy of science and religion

Learners say that this course provides engaging assignments that encourage learners to develop a greater understanding of the well received key features of philosophy, science, and religion. According to reviews, distinguished instructors present topics in a clear and thought-provoking manner, fostering critical thinking and questioning. Students particularly appreciate the interdisciplinary approach, which highlights connections between different fields and prompts students to examine complex issues from multiple perspectives. Overall, the course is seen as a valuable learning experience that sparks intellectual curiosity and deepens one's understanding of the interplay between philosophy, science, and religion.

Concepts are presented in a clear and concise manner

"I absolutely enjoyed every bit of the course and the way the lessons were broken down into small modules, it made it very easy to grasp each concept."

"The content of this course was of much interest to me, and it was presented in a manner that maintained my interest."

"PERFECT course for critical thinkers."

Connects concepts from philosophy, science, and religion

"I found the course very interesting as the three main perspectives with which the world is viewed is depicted very clearly."

"It was an exciting experience. I could learn a lot of things."

"Very interesting in terms of content but more attention could have been paid to presentation..."

Encourages critical thinking

"will get to know some great things and especially how to reason and question things."

"You will get answers to many queries and will finally result in some great outcomes making you more aware about how we evolved into what we are today."

"Excellent for basic understanding of relationship between Philosophy, Science, and religion."

Instructors are knowledgeable and engaging

"All of the lecturers were outstanding."

"Excellent instructors and clear explanations."

"I enjoyed taking this philosophy Course under the "Edinburgh university", and I'd like to say I've learned several new topics under religion and science..."

Some reviews express concerns about bias or a lack of thoroughness

"I was disappointed by the summary, which gave me the feeling that this course is only there to defame Young Earth Creationism."

"the lectures on evolution were too short and could have been made much more attractive with examples, pictures etc."

"Lectures were clear and to the point. However, the lectures on evolution were too short..."

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 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 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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Communicator

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.

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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 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 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

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Librarian