Science et théologie

The misunderstandings which have existed concerning the relationship between science and theology have been dispelled a long time ago already thanks to the work of epistemological criticism accomplished as much on the scientific as on the theological side. Not only is it recognized that there is no incompatibility between science and theology, but it can also be said that these two disciplines mutually recognize each other as authentic dimensions of the mind. But there is a desire for unity which seeks the search, beyond a simple coexistence, of mutual understanding and thus dialogue. The question of the relationship between science and theology can be posed as the question of the dialogue between these two dimensions of the mind. This article basically asks the question of the conditions for the possibility of such a dialogue. In order for there to be dialogue there must be an agent of mediation. It is suggested that this agent could be the idea of rationality. The arguments in favour of this hypothesis are accompanied by the underlining of the fundamental difference which separates science and theology, interpreted as the difference between what is constituted and what is factual. Once this difference is recognized, it is possible to analyze the encounter between science and theology in three stages: mutual understanding (which must primarily be the determination of the points of view on the basis of which what is common as well as what creates the difference can appear), the conceptual borrowings (generalising the borrowings made by theology from philosophy) and finally complementarity ( the search for what science can contribute to theology and reciprocally what theology can contribute to science)