Bridging Mathematics, Philosophy and Theology - Fuzzy Logical Thinking for Science-Religion Dialogue

This book on science and religion argues that a fuzzy model of critical realism will provide a mathematical base to overcome the binary thinking without indulging in reductionism and relativism. The author believes that the model based on fuzzy logic will offer an inclusive epistemological framework for science-theology dialogue where multiple referential claims reinforce each other. Possibilities of fuzzy logic vis-a-vis binary, relativist and probability thinking are delineated. The limitations of fuzzy logic and fuzzy model of critical realism are brought to light. The study ends by suggesting some directions for exploring fuzzy thinking in religion and developing a fuzzy language for talking about God and religion. Such an attempt enables a deeper and creative way of dealing with science, religion, theology and philosophy.

Binoy Pichalakkattu is a Jesuit of Kerala Province, India. He holds doctorates in Mathematical Statistics (India) and in Systematic Theology (U.S.A). He is a recipient of Alpha Sigma Nu (2013) from Santa Clara University, Berkeley, California. He is a member of Clavius group for Catholic Mathematicians, U.S.A. Currently he is the Director of Loyola Institute of Peace and International Relations (LIPI), Kochi, and also the Managing Editor of EZHUTHU, a literary-cultural-scientific magazine, published by LIPI. He has published numerous articles both in national and international journals, and presented papers on topics related to mathematics, philosophy and religion. He is a visiting faculty in institutions in India and abroad.

More and more people, both at the popular and academic levels, are convinced of the need for creative and critical dialogue between science and religion. Such a dialogue is essential for the future of humanity.

This book by Dr. Binoy Pichalakkattu is an attempt to place such a dialogue in the framework of fuzzy logic.

The book argues that a fuzzy model of critical realism will provide a mathematical base to overcome the binary thinking without indulging in reductionism and relativism. The author believes the model offered by fuzzy logic will provide an inclusive framework for science-theology dialogue where multiple referential claims reinforce other. The book delineates the possibilities of fuzzy thinking vis-a-vis binary, relativist and probabilistic thinking. It also brings to light the limitations of fuzzy logic and fuzzy model of critical realism. The book ends by suggesting some directions for exploring fuzzy thinking in religion and developing a fuzzy language for talking about God. and religion. Such an attempt enables a deeper and creative way of dealing with science and religion, theology and philosophy.