A Theological Analysis of Biological Determinism Claims in the Context of Epigenetics and Brain Plasticity

Seyithan Can

Makale detayları

A Theological Analysis of Biological Determinism Claims in the Context of Epigenetics and Brain Plasticity

Yazarlar:

Seyithan Can

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dini Araştırmalar (Diğer)

Dergi:

darulfunun ilahiyat Vol.35 Issue 2, pp.413-435

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2024

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001339066

pISSN:

2651-5083

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 Several theoretical studies have investigated biological determinism. First, it leaves no room for divine intervention in the various spheres of human activity. Second, it asserts that heredity significantly influences human behavior. This notion emphasizes the idea that humans possess both freedom and wildness. According to biological determinism, behavior is predetermined by DNA, reducing physiological brain activity. Consequently, what is commonly perceived to be human freedom is illusory. If an individuals actions are not a result of their own will, the issue of justice arises from the rewards and punishments that God metes out in response to human behavior. To address the theological dilemmas posed by these assertions of biological determinism, we sought to ground human freedom, will, and responsibility within the framework of Gods justice, by drawing on insights from epigenetics and brain plasticity. However, can recent developments in genetic science comprehensively elucidate human behavior, potentially revealing the freedom we once believed we possessed to be an illusion? Answering this question was one of the primary objectives of this study.

 Several theoretical studies have investigated biological determinism. First, it leaves no room for divine intervention in the various spheres of human activity. Second, it asserts that heredity significantly influences human behavior. This notion emphasizes the idea that humans possess both freedom and wildness. According to biological determinism, behavior is predetermined by DNA, reducing physiological brain activity. Consequently, what is commonly perceived to be human freedom is illusory. If an individuals actions are not a result of their own will, the issue of justice arises from the rewards and punishments that God metes out in response to human behavior. To address the theological dilemmas posed by these assertions of biological determinism, we sought to ground human freedom, will, and responsibility within the framework of Gods justice, by drawing on insights from epigenetics and brain plasticity. However, can recent developments in genetic science comprehensively elucidate human behavior, potentially revealing the freedom we once believed we possessed to be an illusion? Answering this question was one of the primary objectives of this study.

 Several theoretical studies have investigated biological determinism. First, it leaves no room for divine intervention in the various spheres of human activity. Second, it asserts that heredity significantly influences human behavior. This notion emphasizes the idea that humans possess both freedom and wildness. According to biological determinism, behavior is predetermined by DNA, reducing physiological brain activity. Consequently, what is commonly perceived to be human freedom is illusory. If an individuals actions are not a result of their own will, the issue of justice arises from the rewards and punishments that God metes out in response to human behavior. To address the theological dilemmas posed by these assertions of biological determinism, we sought to ground human freedom, will, and responsibility within the framework of Gods justice, by drawing on insights from epigenetics and brain plasticity. However, can recent developments in genetic science comprehensively elucidate human behavior, potentially revealing the freedom we once believed we possessed to be an illusion? Answering this question was one of the primary objectives of this study.

 Biyolojik determinizmin teolojik olarak birçok problemi de beraberinde getirmiştir. Bunlardan ilki Tanrıya herhangi bir etkinlik alanı bırakmamasıdır. İkincisi de insan davranışlarının meydana gelmesinde kalıtımın etkili olduğunu belirtmeleridir. Bu düşünce insanın özgür ve iradeli bir varlık olma tasavvurunu ortadan kaldırmaktadır. Çünkü biyolojik determinizme göre DNAmız tarafından önceden belirlenen ve davranışlarımız, beynin fizyolojik aktivitesinden başka bir şey değildir. Dolayısıyla insan özgürlüğü dediğimiz şey aslında bir yanılsamadır. Şayet insanın sergilediği davranışlar onun iradesiyle gerçekleşmiyorsa, Tanrının insan davranışlarına karşılık verdiği ceza ve mükâfat, adalet problemini doğuracaktır. Biyolojik determinizmin bu iddialarının teolojik açıdan ortaya çıkardığı problemlere karşılık, epigenetik ve beyin plastisitesini temel alarak insanın özgürlüğü, iradesi ve sorumluluğunu, Tanrının adaleti perspektifinde temellendirmeye çalıştık. Bununla beraber, genetik bilimdeki yeni keşifler, daha önce sahip olduğumuzu düşündüğümüz özgürlüğü bir yanılsama olarak ortaya çıkarmada insan davranışını eksiksiz bir şekilde açıklar mı? Sorusunun cevap bulması, çalışmanın temel amaçları arasındadır.

Makale detayları

A Theological Analysis of Biological Determinism Claims in the Context of Epigenetics and Brain Plasticity

Yazarlar:

Seyithan Can

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dini Araştırmalar (Diğer)

Dergi:

darulfunun ilahiyat Vol.35 Issue 2, pp.413-435

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2024

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001339066

pISSN:

2651-5083

Kalām

Biological Determinism

Human Freedom

Epigenetics

Brain PlasticityKelâm

Biyolojik Determinizm

İnsanın Özgürlüğü

Epigenetik

Beyin plastisitesi

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Seyithan Can

Yayıncı: Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar: Dini Araştırmalar (Diğer)

Dergi: darulfunun ilahiyat Vol.35 Issue 2, pp.413-435

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 12/2024

Belge Dili: İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.): 2001339066

pISSN: 2651-5083

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Seyithan Can

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dini Araştırmalar (Diğer)

Dergi:

darulfunun ilahiyat Vol.35 Issue 2, pp.413-435

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2024

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001339066

pISSN:

2651-5083