On the evening of November 3rd Dr. Dominic Balestra, Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, gave a lecture at Murray Hill Institute which was entitled: “Epistemic Justice: Bridging the Divide between Science and Religion in the Public Square.” As Professor Balestra pointed out, recent public discussion on evolution and religion, including Federal Court decisions in Dover, Pennsylvania and in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been marked by considerable confusion.

Intelligent Design Theory, for example, which maintains that the universe is so ordered that it must have an Intelligent Designer as its origin, is a philosophical position and yet it has been viewed as a religious one. Because Intelligent Design seems to entail, according to the Courts, religious beliefs, it is to be excluded from the public schools’ curriculum, just as any religious account of creation should, if the separation between Church and State is to be preserved. The recent court decisions appear to favor scientism, whereby only scientific knowledge is recognized and only empirically verifiable assertions are meaningful. Philosophical and religious or theological positions are of no account for scientism. Professor Balestra insisted that there should be justice or fairness in regard to knowledge claims. Philosophy and religion present us with knowledge other than the scientific, and so should be taken into consideration if there is to be justice regarding different kinds of knowledge. Professor Balestra also pointed to the Catholic tradition which brings faith and reason together, rather than separate them as is the case in modern and contemporary times.

Regarding discussions on science and religion, Professor Balestra said that there are four models: first, the conflict model, that is, religious fundamentalism vs. scientism; second, the independent model, whereby science and religion are each autonomous and co-exist peacefully; third, the dialogue model, which permits fruitful dialogue between science and religion since there is mutual respect and faith seeks understanding; and fourth, the integration or convergence of the two.

The topic of science and religion always has a way of provoking interest and reflection. This was evident in the many thoughtful questions generated by Professor Balestra’s lecture. The full text on Dr. Balestra’s lecture is on our website: click here.

Alice Ramos, PhD, is a Professor of Philosophy at St. John’s University.

Evenings of Professional Development for Young Professional Women
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
“Women and Career Success: Reality or Mirage?”
Speaker: Mirela Las Heras, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior, IESE, Spain

Coming in December: A Christmas Literary Evening
Date to be announced.

Coming in Early 2007
“Conversations with Soledad”
A Work-Life Luncheon for Women in Media
Speaker: Soledad O’Brien, Anchor, CNN American Morning
Thursday, February 15, 2007, 12pm to 2pm
Princeton Club, 15 West 43 St.

Watch our website for registration information.