Howard-Snyder to speak on faith and reason in RSP faculty research lecture

Daniel Howard-Snyder, a professor in the Philosophy Department at Western Washington University, will present "Faith and Reason" at noon Oct. 20 as part of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs faculty research series. Howard-Snyder's presentation will take place in Communications Facility Room 105.

The gist of the talk: "The age-old problem of faith and reason can be put like this: Reasonable religious faith requires reasonable religious belief, but since religious belief is not reasonable, religious faith is not reasonable too. Most people who reject this line of thought argue that religious belief is reasonable. What has not been noticed, however, is that reasonable religious faith does not require reasonable religious belief since faith, religious or otherwise, does not require belief. Faith is at home with being in doubt and, as such, faith can be reasonable and ground a religious way of life even if religious belief is not reasonable."

The purpose of the faculty research series is to provide opportunities to learn about research, publication of research and the direction research is taking in various disciplines and cross disciplinary areas of the university. The presentations underscore the importance of research development and creative efforts by members of the university community. The presentations are free, and all are welcome to attend.

For more information, contact Ken Clark, director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, at (360) 650-4403 or ken.clark@wwu.edu, or Connie Hernandez at (360) 650-2884 or connie.hernandez@wwu.edu.