Philosophy of Science

Categorizing Science-Religion Relations Based on a Spectrum of Consonance-Dissonance Cases

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Meysam Tavakoli Bina

Kalam Department Iranian Institute of Philosophy

10.30465/ps.2025.51052.1762
Abstract
The relationship between science and religion remains one of the most significant epistemological challenges in contemporary discourse. This research presents a novel approach to categorizing science-religion relations based on their degree of consonance and dissonance. The methodology involves case study analysis of concrete examples gathered over seven years (2016-2024) through interdisciplinary discussions with graduate students in basic sciences and philosophy. We demonstrate that science-religion relations can be classified into three main categories: ‘consonance’ (exemplified by evidence for cosmic beginning and fine-tuning), ‘indifference’ (comprising the majority of cases), and ‘dissonance,’ which further divides into two subcategories: resolvable dissonance (such as certain evolutionary interpretations) and crisis-inducing dissonance (as in extreme physicalist-neo-Darwinian interpretations). Employing a musical metaphor, we illustrate how each type of relationship serves a distinct function, with even dissonant cases potentially catalyzing scientific progress and epistemological reconsideration. We argue for replacing traditional binary logic (true/false) with a fuzzy logic approach that recognizes a broad spectrum from consonance to dissonance in analyzing science-religion relations.

Keywords

Science-Religion Relations
Science-Religion Conflict
Physicalist Reductionism
Science-Religion Methodology
Evolutionary Theory
Cosmic Origins
Philosophy of Science
Volume 14, Issue 1
June 2024
Pages 287-313

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