Is Theology a Formal Science?

• Main Author: Jaworski, Krzysztof
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Polish
• Published: Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu 2023
• Subjects: teologia; filozofia nauki; nauki formalne; nauki realne; demarkacja; logika; theology; philosophy of science; formal sciences; empirical sciences; demarcation; logic; sami
• Online Access: https://apcz.umk.pl/SetF/article/view/42357

Discussion on the methodological status of theology is an attempt to answer whether theology can be considered a science, i.e., a source of knowledge. This debate has resulted in the formulation of three main positions. The first position argues that theology does not qualify as a science due to its failure to meet the strict criteria of demarcation. The second position asserts that theology is indeed a science, similar to any other discipline, and this perspective is endorsed by theologians themselves. The third position treats theology as a science, but one of a unique nature (sui generis). Furthermore, an idea has emerged suggesting that theology could be regarded as a formal science. Several arguments support this notion, including the operational rather than eidetic nature of the terms of theological discourse, the employment of assumptions and the drawing of conclusions within theology, the exclusive focus on textual analysis, and the application of a coherence theory of truth. This paper engages in a discussion with the presented arguments and endeavours to demonstrate their incorrectness. The purpose of positioning theology among the formal sciences is to defend its scientific status against scholars who hold atheistic or anti-theological world views. However, this “defence” comes at a high price, as it entails depriving theology of its fundamental aim, which is to formulate statements about reality. Spór o status metodologiczny teologii jest próbą odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy teologia jest nauką. W wyniku tego sporu ukształtowały się trzy główne stanowiska. Zgodnie z pierwszym z nich, teologia nie jest nauką, ponieważ nie spełnia rygorystycznych kryteriów demarkacji. Drugie stanowisko głosi, że teologia jest taką samą nauką, jak każda inna. Za naukowym statusem teologii opowiadają się przede wszystkim sami teologowie. Trzecie stanowisko traktuje teologię jak naukę, ale naukę swoistą (sui generis). Obok tych stanowisk pojawił się głos, że teologię można by z powodzeniem uznać za naukę formalną. Na rzecz ...