The Justification of Science and the Rationality of Religious Belief

In this critical examination of recent accounts of the nature of science and of its justification given by Kuhn, Popper, Lakatos, Laudan, and Newton-Smith, Banner contends that models of scientific rationality which are used in criticism of religious beliefs are in fact often inadequate as accounts of the nature of science. He argues that a realist philosophy of science both reflects the character of science and scientific justifications, and suggests that religious belief could be given a justification of the same sort.

`The book not only seeks to uphold the place of rationality in both science and religion, it is itself a superb example of the use of rationality in this area.' Journal of Theological Studies `very clearly written and contains useful summaries of a number of important discussions' Theology `interesting and informative monograph' Times Higher Education Supplement