Philosophy, Science and Religion: Science and Philosophy Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview (80-120 words) describing structure and time commitment.
Module 1: Are Science and Religion in Conflict?
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Philosophical analysis of the relationship between science and religion
- Historical examples of conflict and harmony
- Arguments for compatibility and incompatibility
- Case studies: Galileo, Darwin, and modern debates
Module 2: Neuroscience and Free Will
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Key experiments challenging free will (e.g., Libet)
- Interpretations of neural determinism
- Criticisms of experimental methodologies
- Philosophical implications for moral responsibility
Module 3: Creationism and Evolutionary Biology
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Scientific status of evolutionary theory
- Analysis of creationist arguments
- Evaluation of intelligent design as a scientific claim
- Legal and educational implications in public schooling
Module 4: Do Scientific Claims Constitute Absolute Truths?
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Philosophy of scientific realism vs. anti-realism
- Scientific claims and provisional knowledge
- The role of falsifiability and paradigm shifts
- Implications for understanding truth in science
Module 5: Final Project
Estimated time: 6 hours
- Write a reflective essay on one major course theme
- Apply philosophical reasoning to a contemporary science-religion issue
- Peer review and feedback on final submissions
Prerequisites
- No prior knowledge of philosophy or science required
- Basic English reading proficiency
- Willingness to engage with abstract ideas
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Analyze the relationship between science and religion critically
- Evaluate claims about free will in light of neuroscience
- Assess the scientific legitimacy of creationism and evolution
- Discuss whether scientific knowledge is absolute or provisional
- Construct well-reasoned arguments on interdisciplinary topics