Overview
Since Christians believe that the universe and everything it is the work of a personal God, it is incumbent on them to show why there is no inherent incompatibility between science and what Christianity claims.
Throughout the course of these eight lessons, Dr. Mihretu Guta reveals how science and faith can peacefully coexist and inform each other.
Mihretu P. Guta completed his Ph.D. in Philosophy at Durham University (UK) under the supervision of Professor E.J. Lowe and Professor Sophie Gibb. Dr. Guta was a recipient of the Prestigious merit-based Durham Doctoral Studentship Award for three years. While doing his PhD, Dr. Guta also served as an Academic Tutor in philosophy at Durham University. After completing his PhD, Dr. Guta worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Durham University within the Durham Emergence Project which was set up with cooperation between physicists and philosophers; and funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Dr. Guta’s postdoctoral research focused on the nature of the emergence of the phenomenal consciousness taken from the standpoint of metaphysics, philosophy of mind, cognitive neuroscience and quantum physics. Guta also took short term academic research training at Rivendell Institute Summer Seminar at Yale University and at the International Philosophy Summer School at Bamberg University in Germany.
Dr. Guta specializes in metaphysics and the philosophy of mind and his other research interest areas include: philosophy of religion, philosophy of language/logic, epistemology, ethics, philosophical theology, the philosophy of cognitive neuroscience and the philosophy of quantum physics.
Dr. Guta’s international academic publications include the special issue he co-edited with Sophie Gibb for the Journal of Consciousness Studies entitled: “Insights into the First-Person Perspective and the Self: An Interdisciplinary Approach”, (Imprint Academic, 2015). Dr. Guta also edited a research volume entitled: Consciousness and the Ontology of Properties, which was published by Routledge (2018/2019). Currently, Dr. Guta is working on a single authored manuscript entitled: The Metaphysics of Substance and Personhood: A Non-theory Laden Approach as well as another co-authored manuscript entitled: Bracketed Issue: A Case for Metaphysical Foundation for Bioethics. Moreover, Dr. Guta published articles, short response commentaries and book reviews in notable peer-reviewed international academic journals such as Philosophia Christi, Analysis, Journal of Consciousness Studies, Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, The Philosophical Quarterly, Appraisal-the Journal of British Personalist Forum and TheoLogica-International Journal for Philosophy of Religion and Philosophical Theology.
Dr. Guta presented academic research papers/public lectures over 70 times, including: Durham University (UK); University of Vienna (Austria); University of Helsinki (Finland); Boston University, MA (USA); Biola University (USA); Azusa Pacific University (USA), Citrus College, Glendora, CA (USA), University of Arizona, Tuscon (USA); Dominican School of Theology and Philosophy at Berkeley (USA); Trinity International University; Chicago (USA); Evangelical Philosophical Society- 15th Annual Apologetics Conference, Parker, CO (USA); Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology and Evangelical Theological College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Currently, Dr. Guta teaches philosophy both at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Biola University and Azusa Pacific University in Southern California, USA. Dr. Guta received two masters degrees from Biola University: one in philosophy with high honors and the other, in science and religion with the highest honors.
In the past, Dr. Guta worked as an Assistant to the Academic Dean, Lecturer and Field Education Director at the Evangelical Theological College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he also received his undergraduate degree with distinction in academic theology. Dr. Guta also did undergraduate coursework in philosophy at Addis Ababa University. Dr. Guta served as a visiting lecturer at a number of theological colleges in different regions of Ethiopia. Dr. Guta published four books in Amharic (the Ethiopian official language) in the area of reading culture, philosophy of religion and philosophical apologetics.
Course FAQ
Each lesson is designed to take approximately 2-4 hours, depending on how deeply you engage the assignments. Since this is a self-paced course, the time it will take you to complete it will depend on the speed with which you want to progress through the course.
No. The course contains everything you need to successfully complete the course. There are resources recommended at the end of the course that you are free to purchase if you wish to pursue further study on the course topic.
Since this course is designed as a completely self-paced experience, you will not have any interaction with the professor during the course.
Since Christians believe that the universe and everything it is the work of a personal God, it is incumbent on them to show why there is no inherent incompatibility between science and what Christianity claims.
Throughout the course of these eight lessons, Dr. Mihretu Guta reveals how science and faith can peacefully coexist and inform each other.
Mihretu P. Guta completed his Ph.D. in Philosophy at Durham University (UK) under the supervision of Professor E.J. Lowe and Professor Sophie Gibb. Dr. Guta was a recipient of the Prestigious merit-based Durham Doctoral Studentship Award for three years. While doing his PhD, Dr. Guta also served as an Academic Tutor in philosophy at Durham University. After completing his PhD, Dr. Guta worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Durham University within the Durham Emergence Project which was set up with cooperation between physicists and philosophers; and funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Dr. Guta’s postdoctoral research focused on the nature of the emergence of the phenomenal consciousness taken from the standpoint of metaphysics, philosophy of mind, cognitive neuroscience and quantum physics. Guta also took short term academic research training at Rivendell Institute Summer Seminar at Yale University and at the International Philosophy Summer School at Bamberg University in Germany.
Dr. Guta specializes in metaphysics and the philosophy of mind and his other research interest areas include: philosophy of religion, philosophy of language/logic, epistemology, ethics, philosophical theology, the philosophy of cognitive neuroscience and the philosophy of quantum physics.
Dr. Guta’s international academic publications include the special issue he co-edited with Sophie Gibb for the Journal of Consciousness Studies entitled: “Insights into the First-Person Perspective and the Self: An Interdisciplinary Approach”, (Imprint Academic, 2015). Dr. Guta also edited a research volume entitled: Consciousness and the Ontology of Properties, which was published by Routledge (2018/2019). Currently, Dr. Guta is working on a single authored manuscript entitled: The Metaphysics of Substance and Personhood: A Non-theory Laden Approach as well as another co-authored manuscript entitled: Bracketed Issue: A Case for Metaphysical Foundation for Bioethics. Moreover, Dr. Guta published articles, short response commentaries and book reviews in notable peer-reviewed international academic journals such as Philosophia Christi, Analysis, Journal of Consciousness Studies, Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, The Philosophical Quarterly, Appraisal-the Journal of British Personalist Forum and TheoLogica-International Journal for Philosophy of Religion and Philosophical Theology.
Dr. Guta presented academic research papers/public lectures over 70 times, including: Durham University (UK); University of Vienna (Austria); University of Helsinki (Finland); Boston University, MA (USA); Biola University (USA); Azusa Pacific University (USA), Citrus College, Glendora, CA (USA), University of Arizona, Tuscon (USA); Dominican School of Theology and Philosophy at Berkeley (USA); Trinity International University; Chicago (USA); Evangelical Philosophical Society- 15th Annual Apologetics Conference, Parker, CO (USA); Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology and Evangelical Theological College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Currently, Dr. Guta teaches philosophy both at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Biola University and Azusa Pacific University in Southern California, USA. Dr. Guta received two masters degrees from Biola University: one in philosophy with high honors and the other, in science and religion with the highest honors.
In the past, Dr. Guta worked as an Assistant to the Academic Dean, Lecturer and Field Education Director at the Evangelical Theological College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he also received his undergraduate degree with distinction in academic theology. Dr. Guta also did undergraduate coursework in philosophy at Addis Ababa University. Dr. Guta served as a visiting lecturer at a number of theological colleges in different regions of Ethiopia. Dr. Guta published four books in Amharic (the Ethiopian official language) in the area of reading culture, philosophy of religion and philosophical apologetics.
Syllabus
Introduction to Science Lesson 1 |
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Although science does not exhaust everything... Overview |
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Key Reasons for Taking Science Seriously Video |
A Brief Survey of the History of Science Part A Video |
A Brief Survey of the History of Science Part B Video |
A Brief History of Science Reading |
Lesson 1 - Quiz Quiz |
What motivates human beings to study the natural world? Reflection |
Explaining what Science is Lesson 2 |
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This lesson highlights some fundamental... Overview |
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Essentials of Science: Inseparable Components of Science Video |
Defining Science: Challenge of an Adequate Definition Video |
An Alternative Approach: Characterizing Science Video |
Christianity and the Nature of Science Reading |
Lesson 2 - Quiz Quiz |
How does knowledge influence how we define our world? Reflection |
In this lesson, we explore the relationship... Overview |
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Science and Philosophy: First & Second Order Inquiry Part A Video |
Science and Philosophy: First & Second Order Inquiry Part B Video |
Science and Philosophy: First & Second Order Inquiry Part C Video |
Naturalism and the First-Person Perspective Reading |
Lesson 3 - Quiz Quiz |
How do philosophy and science shape notions of reality? Reflection |
In this lesson, Dr. Guta illustrates why it is... Overview |
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Models of Interaction: Science and Religion Part A Video |
Models of Interaction: Science and Religion Part B Video |
Scientific Data: Objectivity and Subjectivity in Science Video |
On Religion and Science Reading |
Lesson 4 - Quiz Quiz |
Does perceived objectivity influence perceptions of truth? Reflection |
The distinction between the first-person and... Overview |
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Reliable Scientific Data Video |
Scientific Practice Video |
Methodological Glitch Video |
Naturalism and the First-Person Perspective Reading |
Lesson 5 - Quiz Quiz |
How does subjectivity influence perceptions of God? Reflection |
Do scientific theories reveal the true nature... Overview |
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Science and Reality Video |
Scientific Explanations Video |
Fact vs. Opinion Video |
Scientific Realism and Anti-realism Reading |
Lesson 6 - Quiz Quiz |
Do you consider science to be more fact-based than theology? Reflection |
This lesson delves into the nature of... Overview |
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Scientific Reasoning Video |
Philosophical Reasoning Video |
Hybrid Reasoning Video |
Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking Reading |
Lesson 7 - Quiz Quiz |
Is scientific reasoning the only way to gain knowledge? Reflection |
The Inflated View of Science Lesson 8 |
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Science is currently portrayed as the only... Overview |
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Abuse of Science Video |
Science and God Video |
Inherent Limitations Video |
Lesson 8 - Quiz Quiz |
How should science influence our belief in God? Reflection |
Recommended Resources Resource |
Course Evaluation Resource |
Course FAQ
Each lesson is designed to take approximately 2-4 hours, depending on how deeply you engage the assignments. Since this is a self-paced course, the time it will take you to complete it will depend on the speed with which you want to progress through the course.
No. The course contains everything you need to successfully complete the course. There are resources recommended at the end of the course that you are free to purchase if you wish to pursue further study on the course topic.
Since this course is designed as a completely self-paced experience, you will not have any interaction with the professor during the course.