INTR 342(S) Science and Religious Experience (Same as Physics 342 and Religion 342)
The natural world seems very different than it did when the world's major religions developed. How should our developing understanding of the physical world affect our religious experience? Are the implications of science in conflict with religious concepts? Are science and religious experience entirely separate domains of understanding? Is there useful dialogue between them and perhaps even the possibility of integration? We will draw our scientific examples from our current understanding of quantum indeterminism and non-locality, from cosmology, and from evolutionary biology. Following William James, we will interpret religious experience as personal affirmation of the meaning of existence, whether or not guided by religious institutions. We will explore the relationship of science to religious experience within the framework of conflict, separation, dialogue and integration developed by Ian Barbour. Format: lectures, demonstrations, multimedia presentations and discussion. Limited mathematical treatment of scientific concepts. Requirements: three short papers, a midterm exam, and a final paper. No course prerequisites except that enrollment preference will be given to juniors and seniors having some background in science, religion, psychology or philosophy. Enrollment limit: 30. This course satisfies one semester of the Division II distribution requirement. It is recommended for students interested in the implications of science for other disciplines, but it may not be used to satisfy the Division III distribution requirement or the minimum requirements for the Physics major.