The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) established
the Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) in 1995 to facilitate
communication between scientific and religious communities. Objectives of
DoSER are to contribute to scientific understanding in religious communities
and promote multidisciplinary education and scholarship of the ethical and
religious implications of advancements in science and technology. (For more
information on efforts to engage the public in discussions about scientific
progress, see "Science Can't Thrive in Ivory Tower").
"Questions of meaning and religion emerge from our deepening
understanding of the natural order," states the AAAS Web site,
describing the program. "Issues of value and meaning are grounded in the
disciplines of ethics and religion. The scientific community needs to be in
dialogue with both fields in order to understand the cultural context within
which science operates and to respond to the societal issues opened up by
scientific discovery and technological development."
DoSER activities have included conferences and public forums, working
groups, and research seminars. According to the AAAS, these are among the
seminars the program has sponsored:
The DoSER program has developed a number of publications, some of which
can be downloaded at no charge from<www.aaas.org/spp/dser/publications.shtml#Pub>,
including the study guide "The Evolution Dialogues: Science,
Christianity, and the Quest for Understanding."