The history, philosophy and religious studies department’s October colloquium featured David Kyle Johnson, philosophy associate professor at King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Johnson presented "Identifying the Conflict between Religion and Science" Oct. 19 in Putnam Hall.
While some academic theists maintain religion and science are not in conflict, Johnson argues, by analogy, that they undeniably are in conflict. He uses the definitions of religion and science, and then presents multiple examples that are instances of unscientific reasoning and beliefs. The unscientific beliefs and reasoning is used to show how they parallel common mainstream orthodox religious reasoning and doctrines.
Johnson earned his doctorate in philosophy in 2005 from the University of Oklahoma, Norman. His primary interests are problems within the philosophy of religion, epistemology and general philosophical connections between pop culture and philosophy. He has edited several books in Wiley-Blackwell’s Pop Culture and Philosophy series, including “Inception and Philosophy,” “Introducing Philosophy Through Pop Culture: From Socrates to South Park,” “Hume to House,” and “Heroes and Philosophy: Buy the Book, Save the World.”
Questions about the presentation can be directed to Dennis Cooley at dennis.cooley@ndsu.edu or 701-231-7038.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.