Abstract
I discuss the kinds of fundamental questions that must be addressed by people who develop theories about how religion and science are (or should be) related. After categorizing these questions as axiological, epistemological, ontological, or semantic, I focus on those that concern the goals of religion and science (the axiological issues). By distinguishing between epistemic and practical goals, individual and collective goals, and manifest and latent goals, I identify seven axiological questions. The various answers that religion/science theorists give or presuppose to these axiological questions help to explain why such deep, ongoing differences continue among them.
Keywords
cognitive or epistemic values, axiology, epistemology, goals or aims of science, practical or pragmatic values, goals or aims of religion
How to Cite
Stenmark, M., (1997) “An Unfinished Debate: What Are the Aims of Religion and Science?”, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science 32(4), 491–514. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/0591-2385.00108