Religion and Science in the Global Age

1
Religion and Science in the Global Age

• Masao Abe
• 1915-2006

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On the Relation of Science and Religion

• Science without religion is dangerous, for it
  necessarily entails a complete mechanization of
  humanity. On the other hand, religion without
  science is powerless in that it lacks an
  effective means by which to actualize religious
  meaning in the contemporary world. Science and
  religion must work together harmoniously. It is
  an urgent task for us who approach the global age
  to find a way to integrate the two (509).

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The essential character of science and religion

• Science--Concerned with how
• Pre-modern science sought the how through
  teleology.
• Modern science is mechanistic and sees the
  universe as lifeless.

• Religion--Concerned with why
• Pre-modern science was harmonious with
  Christianity.
• Modern science negates Christianity.

4
Severing of the religious
Why?
How and why?
How?
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This severing has brought forth absolute nihilism

• Nietzsche recognized this.
• Sacrifice humans to God
• Sacrifice self to God
• Sacrifice God to God

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What is left for religion? How can we cope with
nihilism?

• Each religion must examine its world-view.
• These are difficult to change.
• Each religion must examine the understanding of
  the ultimate.

7
Christian attempts

• Must include the will of God and the rule of
  God. Personal nature is fundamental.
• Process theology makes an attempt.
• But teleology is still required to overcome
  mechanism.

8
Buddhist attempts

• Buddhism has an impersonal foundation for
  salvation.
• Dependent co-origination
• Emptiness
• Suchness
• These are free of teleological character, but are
  not merely mechanistic.

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Without why

• Can this be a foundation for a positive
  direction, a new teleology?
• Compassion
• Wisdom
• Bodhisattva