Science and Religion

1
Science and Religion

• November 5, 2008

2
Is Science like Religion?

• So stated, question is ambiguous.
• More informative
• Is science like religion with respect to feature
  x?

3
Some Science/Religion Theses

• 1. Science is like religion in the way in which
  it comes to believe things.
• 2. Science is like religion in how justified its
  claims are.
• 3. Science is like religion in the questions that
  it attempts to answer.
• 4. Science is like religion in what it says about
  the world
• 5. Science is like religion in its social
  structure.

4
Some Science/Religion Theses

• 1. Science is like religion in the way in which
  it comes to believe things.
• 2. Science is like religion in how justified its
  claims are.
• 3. Science is like religion in the questions that
  it attempts to answer.
• 4. Science is like religion in what it says about
  the world
• 5. Science is like religion in its social
  structure.

5
Some Science/Religion Theses

• 1. Science is like religion in the way in which
  it comes to believe things.
• 2. Science is like religion in how justified its
  claims are.
• 3. Science is like religion in the questions that
  it attempts to answer.
• 4. Science is like religion in what it says about
  the world
• 5. Science is like religion in its social
  structure.

6
Some Science/Religion Theses

• 1. Science is like religion in the way in which
  it comes to believe things.
• 2. Science is like religion in how justified its
  claims are.
• 3. Science is like religion in the questions that
  it attempts to answer.
• 4. Science is like religion in what it says about
  the world
• 5. Science is like religion in its social
  structure.

7
Example Feyerabend

• Q What is Feyerabends Major Claim?
• Science, at least in this case, takes dogmatic
  stands on issues, and attempts to easily control
  people.

5. Science is like religion in its social
structure.
1. Science is like religion in the way in which
it comes to believe things.
8
Dawkins
Science provides a cosmology and a biology.
Science provides an account of our origins.
Science provides an account of what makes us
human. Science provides for rapturous
worship-like experiences of awe. Science can
offer a kind of consolation (medication).
3. Science is like religion in the questions that
it attempts to answer.
9
Plantinga Thesis 3
There is that range of deep human questions to
which a religion typically provides an answer
what is the fundamental nature of the universe
for example, is it mind first, or matter
(non-mind) first? What is most real and basic in
it, and what kinds of entities does it display?
What is the place of human beings in the
universe, and what is their relation to the rest
of the world? Are there prospects for life after
death? Is there such a thing as sin, or some
analogue of sin? If so, what are the prospects of
combating or overcoming it? Where must we look to
improve the human condition? Is there such a
thing as a summum bonum, a highest good for human
beings, and if so what is it?
10
Dawkins main claim
There's all the difference in the world between
a belief that one is prepared to defend by
quoting evidence and logic and a belief that is
supported by nothing more than tradition,
authority, or revelation.
Religious beliefs are based on faith. based
on faith believed with no evidence. But
scientific beliefs are based on evidence. So,
science is not like religion in this respect.
11
Dawkins main claim
Denying
1. Science is like religion in the way in which
it comes to believe things.
or
2. Science is like religion in how justified its
claims are.
12
Questions

• A Are religious beliefs based on faithD? E.g.,
  do religious beliefs lack evidence?
• B Are scientific beliefs based on faithD? E.g.,
  do scientific beliefs lack evidence?

Dawkins yes to A no to B
13
Questions

• A Are religious beliefs based on faithD? E.g.,
  do religious beliefs lack evidence?
• B Are scientific beliefs based on faithD? E.g.,
  do scientific beliefs lack evidence?

Can we answer no to A?
14
Questions

• A Are religious beliefs based on faithD? E.g.,
  do religious beliefs lack evidence?
• B Are scientific beliefs based on faithD? E.g.,
  do scientific beliefs lack evidence?

Assume the answer to A is yes. Dawkins claim is
that the answer to B is no. Is this right?
15
Questions

• B Are scientific beliefs based on faithD? E.g.,
  do scientific beliefs lack evidence?

Yes no evidence for the laws of logic. Yes no
evidence for the principle of induction. Yes no
evidence for the assumption that the laws of
nature will remain the same. Yes No evidence
for the assumption that the world is
scientifically understandable.
16
Foundationalist Worry
On a plausible view about knowledge and belief,
all inquiry is based on some assumptions which
cannot be empirically demonstrated with
certainty. Q Does this mean that every inquiry
is based on faith? Does this mean that all ways
of knowing about the world are on par?