Barbour, Whitehead, and Bohm: Can process philosophy reveal a metaphysical basis for both religion and science? (Ian Barbour, Alfred North Whitehead, David Bohm)

This thesis examines the interaction between science and religion and particularly the proposal by Ian Barbour that integration of these two fields can be accomplished through a ‘systematic synthesis with a cautious use of process philosophy’. My aim is to investigate relevant aspects of Alfred North Whitehead's process philosophy and discuss their ability to function as a common metaphysical basis for the enhanced practice of both religion and science. In order to examine the relationship between process philosophy and science, I will discuss David Bohm's application of the concepts of process philosophy to quantum physics. I conclude that while process philosophy can provide a metaphysical basis for some religion and some science, it cannot provide the basis for a systematic synthesis of all religion—including biblical literalism—and all science—including materialism.