Stephen Jay Gould and other experts discuss the boundaries and compatibility of science and religion. They explore the non-overlapping magisteria concept, the evolution of science, ethical debates, Galileo's clash with the Catholic Church, genetic engineering in agriculture, and the intersection of science and religion in addressing morality and ethics.
Science focuses on understanding the factual nature of the natural world, while religion delves into ethics and the meaning of human life.
Challenges arise when considering religious beliefs in phenomena like miracles that conflict with scientific explanations.
Deep dives
Science and Religion - Non-Overlapping Magisteria
Stephen J. Gould discusses the principle of non-overlapping magisteria (NOMA) where science and religion occupy separate domains. Science focuses on understanding the factual nature of the natural world and developing theories to explain it, while religion delves into ethics, values, and the meaning of human life.
Role of Science and Religion in Morality
Science attempts to explore the factual character of the natural world, providing a basis for understanding reality. However, it cannot ascertain moral questions or dictate ethical behavior. Religion, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in discussing ethics, values, and the spiritual dimensions of life, offering a unique perspective that transcends pure factual inquiry.
Challenges to the Non-Overlapping Magisteria Concept
While Stephen J. Gould argues for the coexistence of science and religion through NOMA, challenges arise when considering religious beliefs in phenomena like miracles or petitionary prayer. These claims may conflict with scientific explanations and pose a challenge to the harmonious separation proposed by NOMA.
Future of Morality and Ethics Without Religion
The discussion expands to the basis of morality without religion, highlighting the need for an ennobling self-conception that transcends individual beliefs. While religion has historically provided moral guidelines, secular society must grapple with defining ethics based on human relationships, societal values, and a consensus on shared moral principles.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the areas of conflict and agreement between science and religion.What space should science leave to religion? What ground should religion give to science? Do they need to give ground to each other at all? The American palaeontologist Stephen Jay Gould tackles the old problem in his book Rocks of Ages: Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life. In it he writes: “Science tries to document the factual character of the natural world, and to develop theories that co-ordinate or explain these facts. Religion, on the other hand, operates in the equally important but utterly different realm of human purposes”. In other words ‘science studies how the heavens go, religion how to go to heaven’. But do the two realms really exclude each other? Can religion and science be so easily divided?With Stephen Jay Gould, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Professor of Geology, Harvard University; John Haldane, Professor of Philosophy, University of St Andrews and Stanton Lecturer in Divinity, Cambridge University; Hilary Rose, sociologist and Visiting Professor of Social Policy, Bradford University.
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