Philosophical Perspectives on the Relationship Between Religion and Science: Averroes, Maimonides, Thomas Aquinas and Galileo

Abstract

The history of scientific thought shows that religion and science can interact in positive ways, despite their differences. In this chapter, I discuss and compare the perspectives on faith and reason expressed by four intellectuals belonging to different cultural contexts (with the exception of the first two): Averroes, Maimonides, Thomas Aquinas and Galileo Galilei. My purpose is to elucidate their views and to consider to what extent they are applicable to contemporary theoretical debate on the harmonization of religion and science. In this regard, I explain the importance of philosophical hermeneutics as an instrument for mediation between religious doctrines and scientific theories.