When Psychology and Faith meet: The mediating Role of Philosophy

Abstract

The article is concerned with the meeting of psychology and religious faith. First, some reflections are offered on the encounter of the sciences in general with theology-religion, noting that while in principle there is no conflict between them, in practice conflicts have arisen. As examples of conflict, those associated with the names of Galileo, Darwin and Freud are mentioned. The Galileo case, involving mathematics, physics and astronomy as well as raising questions on how to understand the Bible, is considered, and the history of this conflict is offered as a guiding paradigm for approaching analogous conflicts. The thought of Sigmund Freud on religion is examined in some detail, as an example of conflict involving the human sciences and religion. In this the article draws largely on the work of Ana-María Rizzuto to show how his own theoretical positions are conditioned by his personal story. While individual conflicts can be analysed as they arise, and solutions sought on a case by case basis, a general method to guide the search for understanding would be of considerable value. Two contributions from the throught of the philosopher-theologian Bernard Lonergan are presented as meeting this challenge.