CPTR 571 Issues in Computer Science and Religion
Course Description
Examines scientific method, truth, reality, logic and computability, authority/inspiration, faith and reason as they interact with computational sciences. Including non-logical factors in acceptance of scientific statements as authoritative arguments for the existence of God, causality, determinism and miracles, and scientific revolutions and paradigm shifts with relation to trends in religion and philosophy.
Purpose, Goals & Objectives
Purpose: This course explores some of the deepest philosophical questions and some answers given by Seventh-day Adventist Theologians. Many of these questions relate uniquely to philosophies taught in computer science. As we ponder and discuss these questions, we will consider the following questions. How does a secular society in general, and computer science philosophy specifically, impact our beliefs as they relate to these questions? How do your answers to these questions impact your work in computer science? How do your answers to these questions impact your relationship to God and your own salvation?
Goals include:
- Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:15-16). As your professor, I’m not interested in transferring knowledge from my notes to your notes. I want you to own the reason for the hope; it must be yours, not mine, your parents or anyone else’s.
- In an increasingly secular and atheistic workplace, learn to be a beacon of light to those around you while at the same time, you must be grounded in your beliefs well enough to withstand the attacks against Christ in your life.
- Be equipped to meet the challenges and assumptions frequently made by those in the computer science workplace.
- To avoid arguments and to engage in true discussions with atheist and agnostic coworkers.
- To think critically when evaluating assumptions and definitions.
Additional Course Methodologies
This course is primarily a reading, reflection-writing and discussion course. Students will be expected to write cogent responses to the questions and answers from each reading assignment. A final paper enumerating and supporting beliefs will be required.
Resources
/CreedOfTheWorld by Steve Turner
Look at /SageIdeas before each semester.