StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Science and Religion - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Science and religion have been criticized for not providing an explanation to the recent development in cosmology and biology. The conflicting ideologies of science and religion are mystifying the cosmos. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.1% of users find it useful
Science and Religion
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Science and Religion"

? Science and Religion Task Science and Religion Introduction Science and religion have been criticized for not providing an explanation to the recent development in cosmology and biology. The conflicting ideologies of science and religion are mystifying the cosmos. As such, this confusion arouses debates on the validity of the teachings of science and religion (Regan, Worthing & Australian Theological Forum, 2001). It is fascinating that scientists are questioning religion while believers are questioning science. Scientists are coming up with explanations on the developments in cosmology and biology to counter explanations of religion. Concurrently, religious believers are opting to understand the universe based on their beliefs. Nevertheless, it is required that one has to understand science and religion to unravel the mysteries of nature and human existence. 1. Recent developments in cosmology and biology and teleological explanations in sciences The recent developments in cosmology and biology suggest that science has a major role in explaining life and the universe. As such, scientific inventions are making people believe their capability in understanding the cosmos (Regan, Worthing & Australian Theological Forum, 2001). Research on cosmology has expanded human understanding on the happenings in the universe. Teleological concepts are being used to describe the cause of an action or an event. Hence, teleological judgments are weakening peoples’ faith in religion. For instance, the development of genetic science in biology suggests that technology influences most of the developments in current cosmology. This strengthens humans’ belief in science as opposed to religion. Human beings are beginning to understand the cosmos more than they did in the past (Regan, Worthing & Australian Theological Forum, 2001). The scientific research has advanced peoples’ knowledge of the cosmos in diverse ways. Hence, people’s cognition is directed towards advancing the cosmos and biological sciences. Religious people and scientists are coming up with an explanation for the current changes in the universe using teleological explanations. As such, the study of science and religion has aroused the curiosity of man making him knowledgeable. On the contrary, the current developments in cosmology confuse both scientists and spirituals around the globe (McGrath, 2010). Religious authorities and scientists have contradicting information concerning the forces that control the universe. For example, scientists are trying to explain natural phenomenon in scientifically. On the contrary, religious believers’ are perceiving events in the cosmos as spiritual happenings. Moreover, believers are claiming that a supernatural being is in control of such events. As evident in teleological explanations, biological developments suggest that nature is harmonious and everything happens for a cause. However, people are researching to understand the spiritual world more than the physical world (McGrath, 2010). This contributes to the confusion arising from debates in the past. Nowadays, it is easier for people to shift their belief from religion to the ideologies of science when scientifically explaining the developments of the cosmos. 2. Developments in evolutionary psychology and cognitive science Evolutionary psychology and cognitive science have led to the inventions in biological science. Understanding behavior through the science of cognition disputes some of the teachings of religion making it difficult for people to believe in religion. The assertion in evolutionary psychology is that behavior cannot be attributed to a specified cognition (McGrath, 2010). According to the theories of evolutionary science, the nervous system coordinates all human responses. This knowledge of evolutionary science has led to the development of experimental science (Mircea, 1963). The Darwinian theories that supported evolutionary psychology have falsified religion in various ways. Indeed, people have been made to believe that “adaptationism” evolves from human cognition. According to the principles of cognitive science, adaptation contributes to the development of certain traits in human beings. Therefore, brain functionality is a response to the environmental conditions. The environment influences meaning that humans’ belief or affiliation to a given religion. Advances in “cognitive science” are contradicting religion because behavioral scientists’ assert that natural selection influences human response to the events of the cosmos. Explaining a concept using evolutionary psychology can influence religion (McGrath, 2010). A liberal understanding of the evolution of cognition science is required in mapping out the behavior of human beings. Nowadays, individuals are relying on science in unraveling mysteries instead of being guided by the teachings of religion. This is disadvantageous to the development of religion because cognitive science mystifies religion by providing an explanation to the evolution of human faith. The misunderstandings in religion are perceived as a spiritual concept surrounded by mysteries. 3. Scientific atheism Scientific atheism entails the assertion that there is no evidence to the existence of God/supernatural being. Spirituals in the society relate scientific atheism to the acts of devil worship. According to McGrath (2010), scientific atheism is dispelling the belief that the universe is god’s creation. However, the atheism is not an impediment to the growth of religion because modern atheist advocates for equality of humankind. Evidently, any religion can progress despite the existence of atheism in a society. For any event or happening in the universe, there has to be a factual explanation. Darwinian explains that environmental changes have led to the modification of the human mind. Conversely, Dawkins asserts that modern biology has developed because of human beings desire to understand nature. This desire has brought confusion on gender roles of different members of the society (Mircea, 1963). It is interesting that religion can be strengthened using cognitive science in explaining the concept of spirituality. Dawkins is wrong by claiming that life can start from nothing. Evidently, nothing can exist without having a basis/foundation basing on the explanation of scientific atheism. The events of the universe have an explanation that is both scientifically and spiritual. Therefore, it is wrong to state the humanity came out of nowhere. It is a fallacy because science is based on sense and evidence (Mircea, 1963). Assumption can only be used in rearranging facts to understand a meaning. Explanations to mysterious scientific conditions in most cases are lies. Conclusion Unraveling the ambiguity of the universe requires a deeper understanding of both science and religion. Science guides people in coming up with factual explanation of the universe whereas religion provides a spiritual understanding of the forces controlling the universe. It has been the desire of scientists to have knowledge of science and religion to explain the current changes in the cosmology. The confusion in the cotemporary society results from the conflict amid science religion. References McGrath, E. (2010). Science and Religion: A New Introduction. Second Edition. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Mircea, E. (1963). Myth and reality. Torchbooks Publications. Regan, H. D., Worthing, M. W., & Australian Theological Forum. (2001). Interdisciplinary perspectives on cosmology. Hindmarsh: Australian Theological Forum. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Science and Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/religion-and-theology/1453929-science-and-religion
(Science and Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words)
https://studentshare.org/religion-and-theology/1453929-science-and-religion.
“Science and Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/religion-and-theology/1453929-science-and-religion.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Science and Religion

Are science and religion in conflict

Science and Religion are two important areas in the lives of human being which are not compatible with each other.... Both the concepts of Science and Religion have roots established in different dimensions of human activity sphere.... hellip; Science and Religion are two important areas in the lives of human being which are not compatible with each other.... Both the concepts of Science and Religion have roots established in different dimensions of human activity sphere....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

Are Science and Religion in Conflict

The essay aimed to confirm through supportive arguments from various authoritative sources that indeed, Science and Religion is not in conflict despite supposed overlapping and contradictory issues.... … One of the most controversial topics that continue to pervade contemporary society delves into trying to answer the question: are Science and Religion in conflict?... A quick glimpse of the topic, conflict in Science and Religion, using the online search engine generates more than 52 million results....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Are science and religion in conflict

The most significant question that is answered in this paper is whether Science and Religion are at conflict or at concord.... In terms of the fundaments and the basic essence Science and Religion are in conflict.... Part Two – Argument A number of philosophical, scientific and historical evidences demonstrate that the two concepts of Science and Religion are often in conflict with one another.... In the case of the “Galileo affair”, the acceptance of geocentric model by the Roman Catholic churches and their consequent opposition to heliocentrism which resulted in the death of the great philosopher and scientist is a burning example of the conflict between Science and Religion that occurred ages back....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Analogy between Science and Religion

The paper “Analogy between Science and Religion” seeks to evaluate the basis for the dominance that science gained compared to religion.... This crucial attempt of analogy between Science and Religion has, of course, made the cohabitation of Science and Religion an easier exercise.... Theologians have tried to prove that religion was as scientific as science is.... hellip; The author states that the ambiguities that still remained in the field of science were cited by the scholars to prove that science also depends on analogies and metaphors as religion does....
11 Pages (2750 words) Literature review

Science and Religion Debate

In the film, Craig also asserts that a psyche is the best description for the beginning of the universe because of the outlandish adequacy of science, the underlying structure of nature is numerical – math is material to nature, mathematical items can either be theoretical articles or valuable fiction, either path, and that there is no motivation to want that nature ought to be connected to extract items or fictions....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Clash of science and religion

Science describes evolution as a way that man Conflict between Science and Religion Affiliation Conflict between Science and Religion The compatibility between Science and Religion is minimal.... Between Science and Religion the Engagement of Catholic Intellectuals with Science and Technology in the Twentieth Century.... Numerous scientific discoveries have been cited as unethical by religion.... The proneness to conflict between the two factors is prompted by the fact that the two forms of perception draw evidence from different sources… Science is based on physical or experimental evidence while religion is based on beliefs obtained from holistic readings. One scientific discovery criticized for its religious appropriateness is human evolution....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Conflict Between Science and Religion

This work "Conflict Between Science and Religion" describes religious concepts in tune with scientific facts.... hellip; The new scientific discoveries of the sixteenth and seventeenth-century brought in an element of conflict between Science and Religion which was mostly reflected in the interpretation of god, the scripture and the origin of the universe.... To reconcile Science and Religion became a Herculean task for the faithful and several approaches were adopted to find out a coherent explanation....
22 Pages (5500 words) Assignment

Are Science and Religion in Conflict

This essay "Are Science and Religion in Conflict" discusses Science and Religion, two important areas in the lives of human being which are not compatible with each other.... Both the concepts of Science and Religion have roots established in different dimensions of the human activity sphere.... The core reason for the conflict between Science and Religion is on the matter of creation of the universe and the former regards creation of the universe as accidental whereas religion strongly believes that creation of the universe is a planned action of God....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us