Non-monotonic logic and the compatibility of science and religion (Q2297958)

It is argued in the paper that the acceptance of non-monotonic logic enables arguments to be held between science and religion in a way that does not exclude either of these two spheres. The starting point of the considerations is the idea of the 13th century Danish philosopher Boethius of Dacia presented in his work \textit{On the eternity of the world} (\textit{De aeternitate mundi}). It is shown that Boethius' approach: (1) violates the rule of monotonicity, (2) cannot be finally interpreted in terms of classical logic and (3) assumes certain non-monotonic logic as its inference framework. Also other presented examples of arguments between religious beliefs and the statements of natural science are resolved in the same way. It is shown how non-monotonic thinking allows us to seriously treat both scientific and religious inference as compatible.