Comparative Science and Religion: South Asia and the West

Catalog description

Debates around science and religion take on differing shapes in different contexts. This course will explore how science and religion intersect, specifically using, but not limited to, Hinduism and Islam in South Asia and Christianity in the West as case studies. Among other themes, we will discuss the debate on religions vs evolution in those contexts; the use of science in cultural nationalism; and the complicated relationships among science, religion, caste, and race. Our interdisciplinary approaches will include key anthropological and historical works along with films and documentaries. Readings will include: Ashis Nandy, Alternative Sciences: Creativity and Authenticity in Two Indian Scientists; Banu Subramaniam, Holy Science: The Biopolitics of Hindu Nationalism; Bruno Latour, On the Modern Cult of the Factish Gods; Matthew Stanley, Practical Mystic: Religion, Science, and A.S. Eddington.