%0 Journal Article
%T Science and Religion: An Alternative View of an Ancient Rivalry
%A Shane Andre
%J Open Journal of Philosophy
%P 494-510
%@ 2163-9442
%D 2020
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojpp.2020.104035
%X Religion is presented as a family of
religions, identified by a cluster of religion-making features, most but not
all of which must be present, involving beliefs and practices which are
diverse and often in conflict. Because of differences in scope, application of
scientific method, and vocabulary, science can also be regarded as a
family¡ªthis time a family of sciences. The universality of the physical
sciences contrasts with the more restricted scope of the earth sciences and the
human sciences. Their relationship can be shown by a three-tiered pyramid, with
the physical sciences at the base, the human sciences at the top, and the
earth sciences in the middle. Despite three notable differences between
science and religion, science and religion are not, as popularly believed, in
conflict. The contrary view, espoused by the ¡°new atheists,¡± is shown to be
based on oversimplified views of religion and science. There are nontheistic
religions and science is committed, not to metaphysical naturalism (¡°scientism¡±),
but only to methodological naturalism. Stephen Jay Gould escapes the conflict
view by proposing that science and religion are independent ¡°magisteria¡±,
science being occupied with facts and religion with values. In divorcing the
realm of facts from the realm of values, he too distorts their complex nature,
for science is not devoid of values and religion makes claims about the facts.
As Hume long ago suggested, facts and values are interconnected. While a fact
is not the same as a value, a fact cannot support a value without presupposing
another value in turn. Interaction between facts and values is here to stay.
%K Religion-Making Features
%K Non-Theistic Religions
%K Diversity of Religion
%K Unity and Diversity of Science
%K Science and Math
%K Science and Technology
%K Metaphysical Naturalism
%K Methodological Naturalism
%K Science and History
%K NOMA-Principle
%K Facts and Values
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=104149