a. There are debates on two points of views: The first point of view – religion influenced science & the second point of view – science and religion were influenced by social and economic developments. At the time, many scientists were protestant. For example, Lutherans such as Duke Albrecht of Prussia, Andreas Osiander, Joachim Rhaeticus, and Erasmus Reinhold were all supporters of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus’ De revoluntionibus (1543). There many more examples of Lutherans who supported as well …show more content…
Although there is plenty of evidence to show that Protestants supported the development of modern science, there is no strong evidence to show that they were involved. According to Dowley, historians believe that Protestants “emphasized on the priesthood of all believers significantly nurturing the growth of the scientific spirit” since Roman Catholics scientist were the ones were the most involved from the 16th to the 17th century (Dowley pg. 407).
2. Identify and/or describe the elements of rationalism in the conceptualization of the existence of God in the thinkers and philosophical movements described in your text pages 408-419 ( use bullet points or sentences)
a. Descartes (The First Modern Philosopher/The Father of Modern Philosophy)
i. Since science relied on the senses, Descartes used Cogito ergo sum to answer the question of how reliable our senses are (408).
1. “I think, therefore I am.”
a. He could not doubt that he was doubting. Since he doubts, then he exists since he needs to exist in order to doubt (409).
b. John Locke
i. Locke rejected rationalism. He was an …show more content…
God made the world, but has left it on its own. ii. It attempted to demonstrate “the rationality of religious belief in God” (413). iii. British Deists argued against arguments based on prophecies and miracles.
1. Thomas Woolston denied the existence of miracles and the miracles surrounding Jesus. He claimed that the resurrection of Jesus was a fraud caused by his disciples.
e. Immanuel Kant
i. He choose sapere aude, meaning “dare to know," as the motto of the enlightenment. ii. Sometime after Thomas Jefferson wrote the American Declaration of Independence, Kant wrote that the framers of the Declaration of Independence were not “prepared to renounce God altogether” (416).
1. Jefferson was a deist, yet the document named God as a source of justification of the liberties the Americans were demanding.
3. Describe the concept of Natural Theology presented in your text on pages 418-419.(1-3 paragraphs)
a. Natural Theology argues in favor for the existence of God using reason and nature.
i. John Locke’s book, “The Reasonableness of Christianity,” was considered to be the central theme of theology. In this book, Locke explains that the fundamental truths of the Christian religion were believed to be a few, but were not easy to forget. It is mentioned that the laws of the universe, the resources, and the inhabitants have all witnessed