RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAITH AND REASON

概要

Since its foundation, Sophia University has held at the core of its teaching the ideals based on Christian humanism. The University has strived to foster the spirit of “Men and Women for Others, with Others” that is, to live in harmony with others, to serve others, and to take innovative roles in bettering society. Far from being unknown to each other, faith and reason are compatible with one another. Together, they have spanned the history of humanity. Already in Greek and Judeo-Christian antiquity, we note the meeting between these two realities. Platonism formed the solid basis from which religion entered into dialogue with the world of reason. Christianity at its beginnings used philosophical reason to found its doctrine. Modernity is the era of industrialization. It is the reign of individualism and bureaucracy. These latter are the malaises of modernity. Instrumental reason becomes the great conqueror of the world. And as a result, ethics are abandoned in favor of the logic of efficiency and competitiveness. Enveloped in this vision of the world, the human being loses all horizon of meaning, it is nihilism, the “terrible enfant” of modernity. However, it would be ungrateful not to recognize the benefits of science. Thanks to it, every corner of the world can be reached. Medicine and other human sciences help man to prolong life and make it more pleasant. “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth”. It is through a permanent and continuous dialogue between faith and reason that the possibility of a better future is assured The course is constructed around three topics: the historical relationship between faith and reason, Inner logic of technoscience, dialogue between Science and Faith. Point of views of several philosophers will be discussed.

目標

(1) To learn the historical relationship between faith and reason. (2) To understand the inner logic of technoscience. (3) To learn the importance of dialogue between faith and science.

授業外の学習

The students are expected to read several chapters of the book and discuss some problems before and after the class (95 min each).

所要時間: 190 min