Date of Award

12-2012

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

Dr. Vyacheslav Karpov

Second Advisor

Dr. David Hartmann

Third Advisor

Dr. Gregory Howard

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Rudolf Siebert

Keywords

Religion, Science, stem cell, seclarization, evolution, naturalism

Abstract

This dissertation is a study of attitudes toward science and stem cell research based on religious worldview. This study examines the relationship through General Social Survey data (2006).

Religious worldview is measured here through some of the most common measures of religiosity. This study differs from many other sociological studies of religiosity in that it includes the view of naturalism alongside other religious worldviews, including theism, dualism, and skepticism. Science is understood and measured here as multidimensional. Comparisons are made between attitudes toward science as a social institution, a research method, and as an application of knowledge - where attitudes toward stem cell research are compared.

This study begins by considering some of the present day issues within the study of religion and society. A few of the most pressing concerns within this literature are given emphasis, including secularization and desecularization. Some of the controversies surrounding the secularization debate are considered with special attention given to writings that address the compatibility of religion and science, past and present.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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