Moving Beyond Epistemology

Work in religion and science has from an early stage relied on critical realism and other models that depend on establishing a common epistemological framework to support interdisciplinary engagement. However, there are significant limitations to framing the dialogue in primarily epistemological terms. Namely, this strategy contributes to a degradation of theological identity and an asymmetric, ineffective dialogue. This essay explores these largely unacknowledged issues and instead proposes an alternative framework based on hermeneutical theories characteristic of the continental tradition of philosophy. It is argued that hermeneutics, properly understood, can more adequately affirm disciplinary distinctions (theological, scientific, and otherwise), support interdisciplinary dialogue, and address the increasing diversity of participants engaged in public discourse. Furthermore, this alternative framework does not leave epistemology behind but rather reframes knowledge within interpretation and the pursuit of existential meaning and significance.