Darwin and the Divine: Evolutionary Sciences and Religious Experiences
A 10-part course with Amin Tejpar and Azeezah Kanji
In this course, we explore the nuanced relationships between science and faith through the lens of Darwin’s theory of natural selection and its revolutionary impact on modern biology. The aim of the course is to go beyond simplistic dichotomies of “science vs. faith” or “evolution vs. creationism” that have mired debates since the inception of Darwin’s ideas. We will gain a deeper understanding of what lies at the heart of the science-faith debates, while opening spaces where new perspectives on evolutionary sciences and religious insights can emerge. By developing literacy in evolutionary science and modes of epistemology, we will position ourselves to critically engage with scientific and religious arguments and to build ideas about science and religion on firmer ground. Drawing on the rich legacy of Islamic thought, contemporary developments in philosophy of science, and the remarkable breakthroughs of modern biology, we explore possibilities for extraordinary conversations between science and faith.
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm
Location: Upper classroom, Noor Cultural Centre
Fee: $150; student rate: $100
Class cap: 20 students
For more information or to register, please email info@noorculturalcentre.ca.
SESSION 1 February 28, 2009
Reasoned Science vs Intuitive Faith: A Fair Assessment?
SESSION 2 March 7, 2009
Ways of Knowing the World: Scientific and Religious Epistemologies
SESSION 3 March 14, 2009
Creationism and Evolutionism before the 18th Century
SESSION 4 March 21, 2009
On Fertile Ground: Intellectual Landscapes Just Before Darwin
SESSION 5 April 4, 2009
Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection and its Impact
SESSION 6 April 11, 2009
Evolutionary Sciences Today
SESSION 7 April 18, 2009
Frameworks for Exploring Relationships between Evolution and Religion
SESSION 8 April 25, 2009
A Third Space: New Possibilities for the Evolution-Religion Dialogue
SESSION 9 May 2, 2009
Questions of Cosmic Proportions: A Guide for the Perplexed
SESSION 10 May 9, 2009
Future Directions for Science and Religion
Amin Tejpar is a science and technology education consultant. He is a frequent speaker on the global history of science and philosophy at campuses, schools, conferences, and public forums. Amin has worked with Cornell University, National Geographic Society, New Foundations for Peace, InterWorldview for Stronger Peacebuilders, United Movement to End Child Soldiering, Merit Academy, and the Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley, CA). He was the primary consultant on National Geographic’s publication Lost History: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers, and Artists (2007). With General Assembly Production Centre (Ottawa), Amin is developing a 6-part television series that investigates the production of science in Muslim societies from the 9th to 16th centuries. Amin is a graduate of Columbia University’s Teachers College (MA, Science Education) and University of Toronto (BSc, Molecular Genetics and Biology; with graduate research at the Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology).
Azeezah Kanji is a graduate of McMaster University’s Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program. She currently assists with program development at Noor Cultural Centre.