’n Voorstel vir ’n tipologie van die geloofwetenskapdebat

Abstract

A suggested typology of the faith-science debate

In this article a typology of the faith-science debate is proposed by identifying four possible points of entry into the debate. The ontological, epistemological, hermeneutical and ethical angles of the debate are then consecutively discussed. The ontological angle focuses on the assumptions of reality as inherent in the approaches of faith and science respectively. The epistemological angle is concerned with the differences and similarities in the methods followed by faith and science to obtain knowledge of what exists. The hermeneutical angle in turn deals with the strategies that faith and science employ to interpret experience. The ethical angle focuses on ethical issues characteristic of faith and science, as well as ethical judgements on various issues, respectively from the fields of faith and science. With regard to the four mentioned points of entry into the debate, a possible reductionist as well as a possible non-reductionist position is identified and discussed.