Scientific and religious convergence toward an environmental typology? A search for scientific constructs in papal and episcopal documents

Author(s): Weigert, A.

Journal/Book: J Sci Stud Relig. 1999; 38: Brigham Young Univ 875 Swkt, Sociology Dept, Provo, UT 84602, USA. Soc Scientific Study Religion. 45-58.

Abstract: Although scientific and religious perspectives often give different interpretations of physical phenomena, there are indications of a shared concern for understanding human-environment relations. Biological, social, and behavioral sciences provide constructs for a typology to describe and interpret human-environment relations. Using the typology to analyze recent Catholic papal and episcopal documents concerning human-environment relations suggests overlap as well as differences in the use of scientific constructs. The main difference is the relative absence of two biological constructs in the Catholic documents, carrying capacity and population, that may affect possible convergence of scientific and religious environmental understanding.

Note: Article Downs A, Univ Notre Dame, Dept Sociol, Notre Dame,IN 46556 USA

Keyword(s): LANDSCAPES

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