The Concordance of the Evolution Theory with Religious Teachings; Alvin Plantinga's God-based Evolution Theory and Daniel Dennett's Athiestic Criticisms

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

PhD student of theology – Philosophy of Religion, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Department, Tehran

Abstract

The present paper discusses and studies Plantinga's intended context and meaning regarding the Evolution Theory - which we have named as "God-based Evolution" - based on the foundations and premises of reformed epistemology which is one of the examples of his religious scientific theories; in the next part of the paper Dennett's criticisms as a New Darwinian atheist on Plantinga's "God-based Evolution" have been modified and finally, the writer evaluates and judges the views of these two philosophers in order to reach a final conclusion. In order to briefly explain these two views, it must be said that according to Plantinga Evolutionism and Creationism are cultural concepts that act as ideological indicators; in contrast, Dennett accepts an exclusively secular or godless view in order to understand evolution. According to him, Darwin's idea regarding the Evolution Theory is dangerous and is like a cosmological acid that absorbs the concepts of God, religion and later the "Theory of Creationism" into itself. But Plantinga, in defense of his view, believes in the existence of Divine action from evolutionary biology which is important in contemporary discussions about the relation between biology, philosophy and theology.

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References

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Journal of Philosophical Theological Research
Volume 20, Issue 1 - Serial Number 75
Articles
March 2018
Pages 179-202

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