Theology and the new atheism: Science, religion and metaphysics

Journal article

Ormerod, Neil. (2013). Theology and the new atheism: Science, religion and metaphysics. Theology. 116(3), pp. 187 - 194. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040571X12472598
AuthorsOrmerod, Neil
Abstract

The ‘new atheism’ has difficulty distinguishing scientific issues from metaphysical ones. Still many theologians and philosophers have the same difficulty. This paper argues for the necessity of something like what Bernard Lonergan calls ‘intellectual conversion’ to help make this distinction. Drawing on the work of physicist Lawrence Krauss and Augustine’s narrative of his own intellectual conversion, the paper illustrates the confusions that arise when such conversion is lacking, and how such conversion can assist in moving the discussion about science and religion forward.

Keywordsatheism; Augustine; intellectual conversion; Lawrence Krauss; Bernard Lonergan; metaphysics; religion; science
Year2013
JournalTheology
Journal citation116 (3), pp. 187 - 194
PublisherSage Publications Ltd.
ISSN0040-571X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/0040571X12472598
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84878363958
Page range187 - 194
Research GroupSchool of Theology
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
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