God, science, and truth: a signpost theory of truth for science and religion

Abstract

This thesis proposes a signpost theory of truth and argues that a theory of truth for science and religion is possible because scientific representations (such as, measurements and models) and Christian doctrine are used in a similar manner. Scientific representations and Christian doctrine are used as means to point towards a reality that is beyond them. Since scientific representations and Christian doctrine point towards what is beyond them, they are used as signposts because signposts point towards a destination. Signposts are used within the context of a journey to a destination with some amount of distance. Signposts point towards a destination but are not identical with the path or the destination. In order to articulate a signpost theory of truth, I argue for the similarities and differences between scientific representation and Christian doctrine. So, I attempt to formulate a signpost theory of the truth of Christian doctrine as well as of scientific representations. To demonstrate the similarities in the use of scientific representations and Christian doctrine as signposts, I distinguish between epistemologies and theories of truth, highlight assumptions of realism, and survey other theories of truth found in the science and religion literature (chapter 1 of part I). My survey of theories of truth indicates the space for a signpost theory of truth and provides a list of key points of focus for this thesis. After narrowing the focus of my study to Christian theology, I examine the relation between God and truth in chapter 2. I conclude part I with a signpost theory of the truth of Christian doctrine in chapter 3.

The role of faith in the lives of believers is discussed as a significant parameter for a signpost theory of the truth of Christian doctrine. I contrast a signpost theory of truth with other understandings of doctrine and truth in Christianity. A signpost theory of the truth of Christian doctrine highlights the use of Christian doctrines as aids that can point humans towards God. The use of doctrines by Christian believers identifies potential problems that arise due to attempts to unite the theory of the truth of doctrine with the use of doctrine in practice. The unity between theory, practice, and reality can be examined by learning from the use of scientific representations, such as measurements.

In part II, I argue that it is possible to learn from an empirical approach to measurement in scientific practice because an empirical understanding of scientific representations upholds the unity of theory, practice, and reality. So, I examine truth in philosophy of science by focusing on an empirical understanding of scientific representations. To introduce an empirical philosophy of science, chapter 4 presents a survey of realism(s) in philosophy of science. In relation to chapter 1, I demonstrate that the connection between realism and truth is extremely complex. In chapter 5, I outline the implications of an empirical understanding of measurement scientific practice with the example of a model-based approach to time as well as theories of truth in philosophy of science. I conclude part II with a general account of scientific representation in chapter 6.

Lastly, in part III, I relate the insights from an empirical understanding of scientific representations to a signpost theory of truth for theology. To do so, I conduct a close reading of Aquinas on truth from the Summa Theologiae and De veritate as well as surveying some relevant secondary sources in chapter 7. The detailed analysis of Aquinas in chapter 7 shows why Aquinas provides inspiration for a signpost theory of truth due to the (implicit or explicit) presence of the key points of focus for a theory of truth for science and theology found in chapter 1. In chapter 8, I provide an in-depth analysis of secondary sources that help highlight the uniqueness of a signpost theory of truth. In chapter 9, I outline a metaphysical system in support of a signpost theory of truth that responds to empirical critiques of metaphysics. In conclusion, I defend a signpost theory of truth as a novel theory for science and religion.