Accommodationism

Accommodationism is a philosophical and scientific approach that seeks to reconcile religious beliefs and scientific understanding. It is a perspective that maintains that religious and scientific methodologies are different and, therefore, cannot conflict with each other.

Overview

Accommodationism is a term often used in the context of the science and religion debate. It is a perspective that holds that science and religion are compatible and can coexist harmoniously. This view is held by many religious scientists and organizations who see no inherent conflict between science and religion, and believe that they can complement and benefit from each other.

History

The concept of accommodationism has its roots in the Enlightenment period, where thinkers like Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton saw no conflict between their scientific discoveries and their religious beliefs. This tradition has continued into the modern era with figures like Albert Einstein and Francis Collins, who have expressed similar views.

Criticism

Accommodationism has been criticized by some scientists and philosophers who argue that science and religion are fundamentally incompatible. These critics, often referred to as New Atheists, argue that the empirical nature of science is fundamentally at odds with the faith-based nature of religion.

See also

• Conflict thesis
• Non-overlapping magisteria
• Religious naturalism