Theology and the Social Sciences—Discipline and Antidiscipline

Abstract. In this review of papers by E. O. Wilson, Philip Gorski, and Robert Segal, I apply Wilson's description of the relations between a discipline and its antidiscipline (the science just below it in the hierarchy of sciences) to the relations between theology and the social sciences. I cl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zygon
Main Author: Murphy, Nancy (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell 1990
In: Zygon
Further subjects:B relation to theology
B Segal
B Social Sciences
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Summary:Abstract. In this review of papers by E. O. Wilson, Philip Gorski, and Robert Segal, I apply Wilson's description of the relations between a discipline and its antidiscipline (the science just below it in the hierarchy of sciences) to the relations between theology and the social sciences. I claim (contra Gorski) that a common methodology is applicable to natural science, social science, and theology. However, despite the fact that a discipline cannot ordinarily be reduced to its antidiscipline, I claim (with Segal) that it remains to be shown that a theistic interpretation of religious phenomena is superior to a social-scientific explanation. I see this as work to be done rather than an impossibility. Insofar as it is shown that theology cannot be reduced to social-scientific explanations, support is provided for the hypothesis of the existence of God.
ISSN:1467-9744
Contains:Enthalten in: Zygon
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.1990.tb00794.x