The Jesuits in Portugal: the communion of science and religion

Abstract

For several centuries, the dichotomy between science and religion widened, so much so that these were considered two opposing fields of knowledge. On one side, stood the defenders of rationality, and on the other, obscurantism. Following the anti-Jew myth, with the Enlightenment, the anti-Jesuit myth emerged. This myth started to gain momentum in Portugal with the Marquis of Pombal. Starting from this framework, we raise the following core questions: Were the Jesuits enemies or ardent supporters of science? Can it be that their concern was limited to the religious catechism, and opposed the teaching and dissemination of science? In face of what was stated above, we highlight the following goals: (i) to analyse the role played by the Jesuits in disseminating science in Portugal; (ii) to reflect on the importance given by Jesuits to the social and hygienist pedagogy. As regards methodology, we followed two dimensions of analysis: (1) science, religion, teaching-innovation and dissemination; (2) social and civic pedagogy. This study enabled us to conclude that the strategy and practice followed by the Jesuits served to launch them in the scientific field, playing a part of great relevance in scientific education, contrary to the myth that was created around them.