Scientifically 'Religious' and Religiously 'Scientific': Ethnography of Science and Religion

<strong>Centre for Studies in Science Policy School of Social Sciences, JNU</strong> a Talk on <strong>Scientifically 'Religious' and Religiously 'Scientific': Ethnography of Science and Religion</strong> By <strong>Renny Thomas </strong> Assistant Professor in Sociology and Social Anthropology Jesus and Mary College (JMC), Delhi University Date: <strong>Wednesday, 28th October 2015</strong> <strong>Abstract: </strong>To think of the relation between science and religion in terms of the binaries of 'conflict' and 'complementarity' is both analytically and descriptively inadequate. Using this formulation, the paper attempts to discuss through detailed ethnographic description, the manner in which scientists in a leading Indian scientific research institute defined and practiced religion and atheism(s). Instead of posing science and religion as dichotomous categories the paper demonstrates its easy coexistence within the everyday lives and practices of Indian scientists. <strong>About the Speaker: </strong>Renny Thomas is an Assistant Professor in Sociology and Social Anthropology at Jesus and Mary College (JMC), Delhi University. He has submitted his PhD at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, JNU. His PhD project is an ethnographic study of the religious beliefs and practices of scientists in India. His publications include 'Being Religious, Being Scientific: Science, Religion and Atheism in Contemporary India' in Yiftach Fehige (ed.) Science and Religion: East and West (Routledge, forthcoming), 'Science, Religion and Cultural Atheism(s): Ethnography of a Discourse' in Susan Visvanathan (ed.) Institutions, Adaptation and Change: Essays for T. K. Oommen (forthcoming).