Work

Explaining Away and the Cognitive Science of Religion

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: In order to evaluate the claim that theistic belief can be explained away by science, four models of the relationship between science and theism are developed and their relevance to explaining away explored. These models are then used to evaluate an argument against theistic belief based on developments in the cognitive science of religion. It is argued that even if the processes that produce theistic belief are unreliable, this is insufficient to show that explaining away takes place. Indeed, given the difficulty of showing that the conditions for explaining away are met, it is very unlikely that such an argument can succeed.

Source: Theology and Science

DOI: 10.1080/14746700.2016.1191879

Author: David H. Glass

Institution: University of Ulster

Language: English

Topic: Study and Philosophy of Religion

Subfield: Philosophy

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: John Templeton Foundation

Award: Explaining and Explaining Away