Analogies and Models in Science and Theology

This book uses the tenets of Hesse’s Network Model of theory (NMT) to debunk scientism and argue for the indispensability of socio-cultural matrices including theological values in the search for objective knowledge. It is unique in many respects: First, it uses the notion of analogies and models to evaluate the structure of scientific knowledge and extrapolates its findings in Christian theological discussions. Second, there is no known scholarly work, to the best of my knowledge, which does an in-depth and extensive study of Mary Hesse from the point of view of her NMT. It uses the notion of ‘entrenchment’ not only to distinguish itself from other related concepts such as ‘holism’ but also to support the argument on ‘invariance theory-observation’ statements. Third, it underscores the indispensability of socio-cultural matrices in the search for knowledge by identifying a link between Hesse and Habermas in what I call Hesse-Habermas Sociology of Knowledge. Finally, it employs the notion of ‘metaphoric redescription’ to argue that both science and theology deal with interpretation of observed phenomena. It is a reliable source to all interested in epistemological debates: philosophically minded students of science and scientifically minded philosophers, theologians, metaphysicians, students of religion and sociology especially students of Habermas.