Science vs. religion: Understanding the differences
As the boundaries of our scientific knowledge are pushed back in all disciplines and as religion and religious groups begin to regain influence in social and political spheres, it is important to ask where these two dominant entities interact. This interaction is important because it often seems as if Science and Religion are in conflict and it would be preferable to resolve these conflicts wherever possible. “Science vs. Religion” as the topic is often phrased is a bad representation which suggests that the interaction always leads to conflict. I will show that this is not always the case and that in fact the interaction can lead to good.
Before continuing, some terms should be clarified. Merriam-Webster defines religion as “a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.” Science is defined as “A: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method B: such knowledge or such a system of knowledge concerned with the physical world and its phenomena.”
Richard Feynman, a physicist, identifies three aspects of science; “Science means, sometimes, a special method of finding things out. Sometimes it means the body of knowledge arising from the things found out. It may also mean…[what] is usually called technology” All three aspects of science as described here, the method, the body of knowledge and technology have some relevance for the current essay. In a pleasing symmetry, Feynman also isolates three aspects of religion; the metaphysical, the ethical and the inspirational. Religion is a notoriously difficult term to define well, but at a general level Feynman’s analysis makes reasonable distinctions between areas of faith which can be seen as separate for our purposes. The inspirational aspect, that which inspired Michelangelo to create his stunning fresco on the roof of the Sistine chapel, for example, is of little interest here. Both the ethical and metaphysical aspects will be important, however. For the sake of simplicity I will limit my discussion of religion and its interaction with science to the Judeo-Christian heritage with which I am at least somewhat familiar.
Does the question as to where Science and Religion interact even make sense? Are the two compatible enough to have a meaningful interaction? Richard Dawkins has claimed that Darwinism and science in general makes belief in God unnecessary. From this he concludes
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