“Science without Religion is lame; Religion without Science is blind” – Albert Einstein ‘God is the Ultimate Scientist’ – Anonymous
Lecture Outline 1. What is science? 2. What is religion? 3. The interaction between science and religion 4. Past year questions on science and religion
1. What is science?
[mass noun] ‘The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment’ – OED
It is a particular way, or method, of knowing or making sense of the physical/natural/world around us.
The Scientific Method 1. Observation 2. Hypothesis 3. Prediction 4. Experiment 5. Analysis a. If hypothesis is confirmed, go to step 6 b. Otherwise, repeat steps 1-‐5 6. Theory 7. Law (Fact)
Characteristics of science • Deals with natural phenomena • Finds out by
o Measurement, quantification
o Verification, testing • Describes or explains phenomena, rather than prescribe
• It is objective, does not deal with values or morals • Appeals to the intellect