Project description DEENESFRITPL Going above and beyond our notions of the divine from a scientific perspective Transcendence is a central concept of theology and philosophy, suggesting that God or divine beings are above and beyond us and the natural world. Investigations of transcendence have historically been speculative and theoretical reflections. The field called the cognitive science of religion (CSR) applies cognitive science theories to the study of religious thought and behaviour. It has the potential to enhance our theological understanding, even if it cannot answer the question of the existence of a divine reality. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Transcendence project is using the CSR lens to investigate the prevalent human belief in transcendence and the importance of transcendence for human beings. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Transcendence is one of the fundamentals of philosophy and theology. For centuries its investigation as a non-material phenomenon was an exclusive subject of speculative and theoretical reflections. Today, such phenomena have become the subjects of scientific empirical research with results that challenge traditional understanding. Because of the fundamental role of transcendence in philosophy and theology, it is urgent to ask whether it too is affected by scientific investigation. A scientific discipline which is able to contribute to this question is the Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR) because it employs the concept of ‘supernatural’ which is very close to the concept of transcendence. CSR has produced considerable results which have a high potential to call into question traditional models of transcendence. And yet, it is rarely taken into account particularly by theology. There are only very few works which try to understand CSR’s impact, especially on classical theism. But they focus on CSR’s methodology and methodological transgressions and do not ask what impact CSR’s legitimate research may have on theological and philosophical topics. Although it is clear that scientific research cannot contribute to the question of the existence of a transcendent or divine reality, CSR’s models do have the potential to modify our understanding of the immanent side of transcendence: the prevalent human belief in transcendence (natural theology) and the importance of transcendence for being human. This project will be an essential contribution to connect science and the humanities. It employs an experimental and innovative approach: It does not reject CSR on the basis of its transgressions but aims to take seriously its legitimate results and to answer the resulting questions. It will consider the chances of CSR for an enhanced theological understanding. And it will connect CSR's challenges with traditional models in order to find new perspectives and answers. Fields of science social sciencespsychologycognitive psychologyhumanitiesphilosophy, ethics and religionreligionshumanitiesphilosophy, ethics and religionphilosophy Keywords Theology Theology and Science Natural Theology Religion and Science Cognitive Science of Religion Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2018 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Net EU contribution € 224 933,76 Address WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 224 933,76
