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The University of Edinburgh

Philosophy, Science and Religion: Philosophy and Religion

Philosophy, Science and Religion mark three of the most fundamental modes of thinking about the world and our place in it. Are these modes incompatible? Put another way: is the intellectually responsible thing to do to ‘pick sides’ and identify with one of these approaches at the exclusion of others? Or, are they complementary or mutually supportive? As is typical of questions of such magnitude, the devil is in the details. For example, it is important to work out what is really distinctive about each of these ways of inquiring about the world. In order to gain some clarity here, we’ll be investigating what some of the current leading thinkers in philosophy, science and religion are actually doing. This course, entitled ‘Philosophy and Religion’, is the second of three related courses in our Philosophy, Science and Religion Online series, and in this course we will ask important questions about the age-old debate between science and religion, such as: • What kind of conflicts are there between religion and science? • Does current cognitive science of religion effectively explain away God? • If there is a God who has made us so that we can know him, why do some people not believe? • Is belief in science also a kind of fundamentalism? • What makes us good at getting, giving, or sharing, knowledge? Is this different when it is religious knowledge? The first course in the Philosophy, Science and Religion series, 'Science and Philosophy' was launched early in 2017 and you can sign up to it at any time. The third course —‘Religion and Science’—will be launched early in 2018. Completing all three courses will give you a broader understanding of this fascinating topic. Look for: • Philosophy, Science and Religion I: Science and Philosophy https://www.coursera.org/learn/philosophy-science-religion-1/ • Philosophy, Science and Religion III: Religion and Science Upon successful completion of all three courses, students will: (1) Understand the main parameters at stake in the current debate between science and religion. (2) Have some familiarity with the relevant areas of science that feature in the debate—including cosmology, evolution, and the neurosciences—and will have begun to engage with them conceptually. (3) Have encountered key philosophical approaches to the interface between science and religion, and will have had the opportunity to engage them in practice. (4) Have embarked constructively in cross-disciplinary conversations. (5) Have demonstrated an openness to personal growth through a commitment to dialogue across intellectual and spiritual boundaries. You can also follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EdiPhilOnline and you can follow the hashtag #psrmooc Learners can apply for Financial Aid directly with Coursera to assist with the cost of accessing the full course and gaining a certificate for successfully completing the course.

Status: Social Sciences
Status: Discussion Facilitation
BeginnerCourse26 hours

Featured reviews

MH

5.0Reviewed Apr 28, 2020

It is a good course that provide a basic understanding for inter-relation between religion and philosophy as both of the believe systems have existed since hundred years ago

K

5.0Reviewed May 10, 2020

The inter relationship between all the three concept has to be understood for having through knowledge creation

ST

5.0Reviewed May 21, 2020

really interesting and accessible with different topics and different angles. Makes you think in a whole new way!

DP

5.0Reviewed Dec 6, 2023

I loved this course! Thoughtful, well-balanced, excellent professors: just what a course should be.

EC

4.0Reviewed May 9, 2021

Another good course from the University of Edinburgh on Philosophy. Some parts were a little bit more in depth than I expected, but a good range of topics and mix of lecturers.

B

5.0Reviewed May 29, 2020

The course was really beneficial especially for people who want to know deeper information about the truth of the begging, the main argue and how people are different in thinking.

EM

5.0Reviewed Dec 7, 2017

Refreshing to be updated with the latest developments in epistemology and philosophy of religion among others.

AL

5.0Reviewed Feb 8, 2026

Difficult course where you have to use your reasoning and logical skills. With philosophy of science and religion.

MD

4.0Reviewed Jan 11, 2020

Good course but it seemed to end abruptly. It was missing some type of conclusory module that tied the segments together. Overall, the course was interesting and worth the time.

CW

5.0Reviewed Jun 9, 2018

This was a first class course in all respects. The calibre of the lecturers was very high indeed and they all made the material very accessible.

II

5.0Reviewed Apr 7, 2022

I have enjoyed all three courses in this program about philosophy, science and religion. Excellent information and I took sooooo many pages of notes.

SB

5.0Reviewed Dec 15, 2020

Very interesting. This was my first taste of philosophy and at first it was a bit confusing but I enjoyed learning new ways of looking at things.

All reviews

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