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Series:   Elements in Islam and Science

Islam, Causality, and Science

Perspectives on Reconciliation of Islamic Tradition and Modern Science

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2024

Özgür Koca
Özgür Koca
Affiliation:
Bayan Islamic Graduate School

Summary

This Element intends to contribute to the debate between Islam and science. It focuses on one of the most challenging issues in the modern discussion on the reconciliation of religious and scientific claims about the world, which is to think about divine causality without undermining the rigor and efficacy of the scientific method. First, the Element examines major Islamic accounts of causality. Then, it provides a brief overview of contemporary debates on the issue and identifies both scientific and theological challenges. It argues that any proposed Islamic account of causality for the task of reconciliation should be able to preserve scientific rigor without imposing a priori limits on scientific research, account for miracles without turning them into science-stoppers or metaphors, secure divine and creaturely freedom, and establish a strong sense of divine presence in the world. Following sections discuss strengths and weaknesses of each account in addressing these challenges.
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Keywords

Islamsciencecausalityreconciliationdivine action
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in Islam and Science
Online ISBN: 9781009489287
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 19 December 2024

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Islam, Causality, and Science
  • Özgür Koca, Bayan Islamic Graduate School
  • Online ISBN: 9781009489287
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  • Online ISBN: 9781009489287
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Islam, Causality, and Science
  • Özgür Koca, Bayan Islamic Graduate School
  • Online ISBN: 9781009489287
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