scholarly journals Theory and Empiricism of Religious Evolution (THERE): Foundation of a Research Program. Part 1

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volkhard Krech
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Religion And Science ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Religious Evolution ◽  
Societal Evolution

AbstractThis two-part article presents the research program for a theory and empirical analysis of religious evolution. It is assumed that religion is primarily a co-evolution to societal evolution, which in turn is a co-evolution to mental, organic, and physical evolution. The theory of evolution is triangulated with the systems theory and the semiotically informed theory of communication, so that knowledge can be gained that would not be acquired by only one of the three theories: The differentiation between religion and its environment can be reconstructed based on the theory of evolution. The elements of the theory of evolution can be understood as the formation of systems. The semiotically informed theory of communication clarifies the conditions of the combination of both the systems theory and the theory of evolution as well as its objects. In turn, the combination of the systems theory and the theory of evolution can describe how communication – including religion and science – evolves and is structured.

scholarly journals Theory and Empiricism of Religious Evolution (THERE): Foundation of a Research Program (Part 2)

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-263
Author(s):  
Volkhard Krech
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Religion And Science ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Religious Evolution ◽  
Societal Evolution

Abstract This two-part article presents the research program for a theory and empirical analysis of religious evolution. It is assumed that religion is primarily a co-evolution to societal evolution, which in turn is a co-evolution to mental, organic, and physical evolution. The theory of evolution is triangulated with the systems theory and the semiotically informed theory of communication, so that knowledge can be gained that would not be acquired by only one of the three theories: The differentiation between religion and its environment can be reconstructed based on the theory of evolution. The elements of the theory of evolution can be understood as the formation of systems. The semiotically informed theory of communication clarifies the conditions of the combination of both the systems theory and the theory of evolution as well as its objects. In turn, the combination of the systems theory and the theory of evolution can describe how communication—including religion and science—evolves and is structured.

scholarly journals What we can learn from semiotics, systems theory, and theoretical biology to understand religious communication

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 192-223
Author(s):  
Volkhard Krech
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Theoretical Biology ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Religious Communication ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Cultural Processes ◽  
Cultural Sphere ◽  
Meaning System ◽  
Religious Evolution ◽  
Societal Evolution

If religion is a socio-cultural meaning system as part of the socio-cultural sphere, then how does it relate to mental, organic, and physical processes that belong to the environment of religion? The article contributes to answering this question by referring to semiotics, systems theory, and theoretical biology. The starting point is understanding religious evolution as a co-evolution to societal evolution, namely, as one of the latter’s internal differentiations. In turn, societal evolution is a co-evolution to mental, organic, and physical evolution. These evolutionary spheres mutually constitute one another’s environments. The eigenstate of the socio-cultural sphere consists of language activated via communication. Language is the replicator of socio-cultural processes corresponding to the function of the genome in organic processes. The differentiation of spheres in general evolution concerns respective organic, mental, and socio-cultural substrates, while the substrate-neutral structure of the two evolutionary dimensions of organic and societal processes, including religion, is revealed as semiotic patterns that organic and societal processes have in common. Organic and religious processes of generating information are isomorphic. Thus, semiosis mediates between religious communication and its environment.

Science and Religion in Early America: Cotton Mather's Christian Philosopher

1987 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winton U. Solberg
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Theory ◽  
Science And Religion ◽  
Early America ◽  
Religion And Science ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
National Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Modern Times ◽  
Human Thought ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

Science and religion both constitute vital dimensions of experience, but people differ in their views on proper relations between the two. In modern times, when science increasingly dominates the outlook of society, many regard science and religion as incompatible and strive to maintain them in watertight compartments. In 1972, for example, the National Academy of Sciences, responding to a demand that creationism be given equal time with the theory of evolution in biology classrooms and textbooks, adopted a resolution stating that “religion and science are … separate and mutually exclusive realms of human thought whose presentation in the same context leads to misunderstanding of both scientific theory and religious belief.” The battle over creationism continues, with the National Academy of Sciences and orthodox religious groups both insisting on the incompatibility of the two spheres.

scholarly journals EL TURISMO DE SALUD DESDE EL ENFOQUE SISTÉMICO: APLICACIÓN A LA PROVINCIA DE ALICANTE

2021 ◽  
pp. 123-152
Author(s):  
Elke Hersch Glass
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
German Literature ◽  
Health Tourism ◽  
Wellness Tourism ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Main Determinants

El propósito de ese trabajo se centra en identificar los principales fundamentos condicionantes de la demanda y de la oferta en el turismo de salud sobre la base de la teoría de sistemas. Además, se lleva a cabo un análisis empírico del turismo médico, turismo wellness y turismo medical wellness de la provincia de Alicante desde este enfoque. Metodológicamente el trabajo se fundamenta en una tarea de sistematización de la bibliografía anglo-germánica existente sobre el tema y no traducida al español. La relevancia de este artículo la constituye la novedad de su enfoque metodológico y su aplicación sobre el turismo de salud, así como su aplicación a un espacio turístico consolidado, como es la provincia de Alicante, donde esta modalidad está implantada y viene funcionando desde hace décadas. The purpose of this paper is to identify the main determinants conditioning supply and demand in health tourism based on systems theory. An empirical analysis of medical tourism, wellness tourism and medical wellness tourism in the Province of Alicante is carried out, applying the aforementioned approach. Methodologically, the work is based on the task to systematize the existing Anglo-German literature on the subject that has not been translated into Spanish. The relevance of this article lies in the novelty of the methodological approach and its application to health tourism as well as its application to a consolidated tourist area, such as the Province of Alicante, where this modality is established and has been working for decades.

scholarly journals Evolution as a Theological Research Program

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 694
Author(s):  
Cornelius Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Empirical Science ◽  
Theory Of Evolution

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution interacted with non-empirical factors including a range of theological concerns. The influence of these theological concerns is typically modeled as secondary to that of empirical evidence. In both Darwin’s thought and later development of the theory of evolution, theological concerns have been viewed as serving in a range of possible roles. However, the theological concerns have consistently been viewed as, ultimately, subservient to empirical science. In the end, science has the final say regarding the content and evaluation of the theory. Here, this paper demonstrates the failure of this model. Theological concerns do have primacy over the science. They motivate the development of evolutionary theory, and they control the interpretation of the empirical evidence and justification of the theory. It is more accurate to view evolution as a theological research program.

EVOLUTION AND THE MODERN DEUS EX MACHINA

Think ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (30) ◽  
pp. 111-114
Author(s):  
Margaret Betz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Human Soul ◽  
Religion And Science ◽  
Animal Life ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Republican Candidate ◽  
Lower Status

Evolution, the human soul, and the lower status of animals continue to stir debate not only in philosophy, religion and science, but in politics as well. In 2007 during a debate for the Republican candidate for United States President, three out of the ten candidates raised their hand when asked by the moderator, ‘Is there anyone on the stage who doesn't believe in evolution?’ The possibility of a lineage from animal life to distinctly human life offers the opportunity for a host of objections from some politicians, religious leaders and philosophers alike. Those who express an objection to the theory of evolution take issue with the idea that humanity is merely another link in the chain, albeit the last link. They share a desire to see human life as somehow unique, different, better.

Sinn, Reflexion und System / Meaning, Reflection, and System

1972 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Maciejewski
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Cultural History ◽  
Social Evolution ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Biological Evolution ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Communications Theory ◽  
Universal Applicability

AbstractTaking LUHMANN’s theory of evolution as an instance, it can be demonstrated that a concept of meaning compatible with the categories of systems theory is bound to neglect important dimensions of socio-cultural development. The attempt to vindicate this very limitation by drawing a line between social systems and organisms is proved problematical in the context of the ,Meaning vs. Life’ debate. At the same time, employment of the term ’evolutionary mechanisms’ (viz., variation, selection, and stabilization) brings into evidence that the theory of social evolution as proposed by LUHMANN is fashioned, in the last analysis, after the model of biological evolution. Carried to its extreme, this theory must lead to a notion of society as susceptible to being brought under control in the same way as nature is. When following HEGEL, in contrast, it should be possible to conceive of socio-cultural history in its uniqueness as the outcome of a social dialectic, which in turn could be adequately deployed by introducing a category of ’media of socialization’ (viz., work, language, and domination). Prerequisite to this, however, would be the adoption of an unabbreviated concept of meaning (as derived from communications theory), which in itself would no longer be compatible with systems theory. Thus, the latter’s claim to universal applicability should be evinced as untenable.

La théorie systémique dans la sociologie de la religion dans les pays de langue allemande

1980 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Traugott Schöfthaler
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Civil Religion ◽  
Sociology Of Religion ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
The Core ◽  
Core Concepts ◽  
German Sociology ◽  
Religious Evolution ◽  
Changing Society

Within the last decade, Niklas Luhman, one of the best known German Sociologists, has developed a concept of systems theory which is closely related to problems of religion. It is one of the core concepts of recent German sociology of religion. Luhmann follows Parsons' and Bellah's views of societal and religious evolution, but he does it with a Durk heimian bias and in a specific German manner. Luhmann believes in the end of civil religion. In his theory religion enables man to cope with general contingencies of society and personality by ciphering them. Implementing this function Christian theology has to deal more with relevation than with humanism, and more with interpreting than with changing society.

Who Wrote What When: The Bible, Science and Criticism

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-315
Author(s):  
Geert Lernout
Keyword(s):  
Seventeenth Century ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
Science And Religion ◽  
Religion And Science ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
John William Draper ◽  
Century Science

According to the traditional (or ‘whig’) interpretation of history, sometime in the seventeenth century science was born in the form that we know today, in a new spirit that can best be summed up by the motto of the Royal Society: nullius in verba, take nobody's word for it. In the next few centuries this new critical way of looking at reality was instrumental in the creation of a coherent view of the world, and of that world's history, which was found to be increasingly at odds with traditional claims, most famously in the case of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. By the end of the nineteenth century, the divide between science and religion was described by means of words such as ‘conflict’ and ‘warfare,’ the terms used by John William Draper and Andrew Dickson White in the titles of their respective books: History of the Conflict between Religion and Science (1874) and History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom (1896).

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