Journal of Contemporary Studies on Religion and Science (JCSRS)

Journal of Contemporary Studies on Religion and Science (JCSRS)

A Critical Examination of Science from Richard Dawkins’ Perspective

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract
Dr. Richard Dawkins, a contemporary evolutionary biologist and one of the most influential proponents of Darwin’s theory of the evolution of species, stands among the foremost advocates of the evolutionary worldview. He upholds the conflict model in describing the relationship between science and religion, asserting that the theory of evolution renders any reconciliation between the two impossible. Consequently, Dawkins seeks to exclude religion from human life entirely—even as an abstract construct within human consciousness. A central tenet of his worldview is the scientistic claim that science alone possesses the capacity to resolve the fundamental mysteries of existence. Although Dawkins is an ardent defender of scientism, he diverges from the classical positivists in that he does not deem non-scientific propositions meaningless. Instead, he endeavors to reinterpret religious assertions as meaningful statements, translate them into the language of science, and subsequently refute them through empirical and rational analysis. This paper aims to present and critically evaluate Dawkins’s position through the perspectives of notable scholars such as Alister McGrath, Alvin Plantinga, Michael Behe, and others. Given that Dawkins formulates his critique within a primarily Christian intellectual context, the present study also draws predominantly upon the views of Christian thinkers in its examination and assessment of his arguments.



 
Keywords
Dawkins, science, evolution of species, The God Delusion, The Selfish Gene
Journal of Contemporary Studies on Religion and Science (JCSRS)
Volume 1, Issue 1
October 2025
Pages 175-202