b. 1954
Willem B. Drees is a Dutch philosopher of religion and theologian known for his rigorous engagement with naturalism and the science-religion dialogue. He argues that religious meaning and practice can be understood and preserved within a thoroughly naturalistic framework, without requiring supernatural causal intervention. His work draws on cosmology, evolutionary biology, and philosophy of mind to reframe theological concepts in scientifically informed terms.
Authored 'Religion, Science and Naturalism' (1996), a foundational text defending a naturalistic approach to theology
Developed the position that emergent natural complexity does not require divine causal intervention
Served as editor of Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science
Argued for 'religion naturalized' — treating religious behavior and belief as natural phenomena amenable to scientific study
Contributed to emergence theory as a framework for reconciling scientific and religious accounts of novelty in nature