THE MEANING OF BEING HUMAN: The Interface of Religion and Science

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SYNOPSIS

Both religion and science are passionately interested in answering the question what it means to be human. At various times in human history, both have provided their own answers to the question. In pre-modern times, the interface between religion and science on the issue of humanness was generally harmonious in nature. The religious and scientific definitions of man could understand and accommodate each other quite well. In modern times, however, partly due to radical changes in the understanding of scientific epistemology itself and partly due to the pervasive impact of evolutionary biology on human thought, the two definitions appear irreconcilable. The lecture will address this issue of irreconcilability and its implications for the future of both religion and science.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Osman Bakar, a doctorate in Islamic philosophy from Temple University, Philadelphia (USA) is currently Holder of Al-Ghazali Chair of Epistemology and Civilizational Studies and Renewal at ISTAC-IIUM. He is also Emeritus Professor in Philosophy of Science at University of Malaya. He was formerly Distinguished Professor and Director of Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Professor Osman was also formerly Malaysia Chair of Islam in Southeast Asia at the Prince Talal al-Waleed Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington DC and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research) at University of Malaya. Dr Osman is author and editor of 40 books and more than 300 articles on various aspects of Islamic thought and civilization, particularly Islamic science and philosophy in which he is a leading authority. His most well-known books are Classification of Knowledge in Islam (1992) and Tawhid and Science (1992). His latest books are titled Al-Farabi: Life, Works and Significance (2018) (new second edition) and Colonialism in the Malay Archipelago: Civilizational Encounters (eds) (2020). He has been named among the 500 most influential Muslims in the world since 2009.