Religious Knowledge and Scientific Knowledge: Methodological Similarity and Its Consequences

Abstract

Given that the ultimate goal of text interpretation is to understand the author’s intentions, one must consider how to justify the beliefs formed through this process. This paper argues that interpretation relies on explanatory inference. The traditional meaning of words alone cannot definitively determine the author’s intent; therefore, one must propose semantic hypotheses that can account for the textual evidence in order to grasp it. The interpretation that best aligns with this evidence is then regarded as the true meaning of the text. This implies that interpretation, much like the methodology of empirical sciences, is grounded in inferential reasoning. Consequently, both empirical sciences and the interpretation of sacred texts are founded on explanatory inferences drawn from available evidence. Furthermore, it is important to note that both domains, natural phenomena and religious texts, attribute their evidence to God from a religious perspective. Consequently, a faithful believer cannot prima facie give more validity to one domain than the other or favor one over the other, assuming an insurmountable conflict between the two.

Keywords

• text interpretation
• explanatory theory of interpretation
• abduction
• science and religion
• hermeneutic naturalism