The Use of Philosophy of Science in the Creationism-Evolution Debate: An Ashʿarī Perspective

Author First name, Last name, Institution

Shoaib Ahmed Malik, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Theology and Science

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Abstract

This article critically reviews how creationists or antievolutionists are using discussions in philosophy of science to undermine the efficacy of evolution to defuse the tension between evolution and religion. They include (1) the scientific realism debate, (2) the distinction between historical and experimental sciences, (3) the problem of induction, and (4) the definitional problem of species. It then discusses how using these specific arguments to undermine evolution is misplaced when looked at from an Ashʿarī perspective, a Sunnī school of theology. In doing so, it reveals the multiple ways that theology and philosophy of science interacting with one another in the ongoing creationism-evolutionism debates.

ISSN

1474-6700

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

creationism, demarcation criterion, experimental science, historical science, induction, Philosophy of science, scientific realism, species

Scopus ID

85165485091

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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