How do people perceive the relationship between science and religion? The roles of epistemic and ontological cognition

• Published in: Applied cognitive psychology Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 1146 - 1157
• Main Authors: Marin, Pinja, Lindeman, Marjaana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bognor Regis Wiley 01.09.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Beliefs; Cognition; Cognitive Style; Differences; epistemic cognition; Epistemology; Foreign Countries; ontological cognition; Ontology; Predictor Variables; Public Opinion; Religion; Religious beliefs; Role of Religion; Science; Sciences; Social Attitudes; Sophistication; Supernatural; Denmark; Netherlands; Finland
• ISSN: 0888-4080; 1099-0720
• DOI: 10.1002/acp.3836

Summary Although the relationship between religion and science has long been the subject of discussion, investigations into the how and why of people's science‐religion perspectives are rare. This study examined how epistemic and ontological cognition predict agreement with four science‐religion perspectives: conflict, independence, dialogue, and integration. Participants (N = 3911) were Finnish, Danish, and Dutch adults who had answered an online study. Most people held views that were not well captured by the commonly used four categories. When more specific perspectives were examined, differences were found especially in supernatural beliefs, over‐mentalizing, and justifications for religious arguments and scientific knowledge. Thinking styles and epistemic sophistication played only a minor role. The results suggest that non‐scientists evaluate the relationship between religion and science more based on their ontological beliefs than their epistemic reflection.