“While the neuroscientific evaluation of religious and spiritual phenomena has advanced considerably since some of the initial studies that were performed over 30 years ago, this field of research is still in its early stages. There are many unique methodological issues that face this field in addition to the potentially more problematic barriers of funding and academic stature. However, pursuit of such projects may ultimately pay large dividends both for science and religion. From the religious perspective, the results of such studies may help towards a better understanding of the human experience of religion. These studies enhance human knowledge of how spiritual and religious pursuits affect the mind, brain, body, and behavior. From the scientific perspective, such research may shed new light on the complex workings of the human brain as well as the relationship between brain states and body physiology. Finally, addressing methodological and statistical issues can enhance both fields since such issues may result in improved scientific and statistical techniques and also contribute to theological and philosophical dialogue. Overall, this integrated field of neuroscience and religion should be an important area of scholarship for the 21st century and beyond.”

Science and Intelligent Design, by Norbert M. Samuelson

Author(s): Norbert Samuelson

“The purpose of this paper is to examine some specifically philosophical questions about the current debate in selected North American public schools about including what is commonly called “intelligent design” (ID) as part of the schools' official science curriculum. The issues I will raise focus around two broad questions: First, what is the logical status of the arguments for and against ID? Second, may the arguments presented for ID be considered “scientific”? My analysis will be grounded in two related but nonetheless distinct disciplines of intellectual history – the history of western philosophy and the history of modern western European science.”