Fides et ratio : an investigation into the relationship between science and religion

Abstract

Faith and reason are two epistemological routes leading us to obtain knowledge: people receive knowledge through theology as well as from scientific inquiry. However, these routes differ in the methodologies they employ, as well as in the type of questions that they ask. The purpose of this dissertation is to demonstrate that both faith and reason are epistemological routes, and that the relationship between faith and reason is particularly illustrated in reason’s selftranscendence. Indeed, the sciences (as particular examples of reason) necessarily lead us into that which is beyond the realm of the investigation of the sciences (i.e. the meta-physical), for the moment we attempt to interpret our scientific findings we transcend science itself; science cannot answer the deep questions relating to why things are as they are although it brings us to the point of being able to ask these questions. Philosophy and theology, however, as metaphysical explanations provide a potential route to answering these important questions. The transcendence of science into the metaphysical will be demonstrated using the examples of cosmology, evolutionary theory, and quantum physics. Ultimately, we are led from ratio, beyond ratio, into the realm of fides, and in this epistemological unity, we that faith compliments reason in together providing a fuller picture of reality.