Jon VanWieren

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Jon VanWieren

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Sociology

Title: Attitudes toward Science and Stem Cell Research Based on Religious Worldview: Comparing the Views of Theists, Naturalists, Skeptics, and Dualists toward Science as an Institution, Method, and Application of Knowledge

Committee:
Dr. Vyacheslav Karpov, Chair
Dr. David Hartmann
Dr. Greg Howard
Dr. Rudolf Siebert

Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3205 Sangren Hall

Abstract:
This dissertation examines attitudes toward science based on religious worldview. The study examines this relationship through General Social Survey data (2006). The GSS regularly measures the religiosity of respondents. The 2006 GSS also includes a module dedicated to important issues surrounding the benefits and harms of science and technology, measuring attitudes toward science in general, as well as attitudes toward specific issues within science and technology facing the public, including stem cell research. “Religious worldview” is measured through some of the most common measures of religiosity. An emphasis is placed on clear indicators of a person’s world picture. This research differs from many other sociological studies of religion in that it includes the view of naturalism within the concept of “religious worldview”. Four worldview types are identified, including: theism, naturalism, skepticism, and dualism.  “Science” is understood within this study as multidimensional. Three forms of science are identified and measured: science as a social institution; method; and application of knowledge. Attitudes toward these three aspects of science are compared based on religious worldview.