Where is the soul in science? Natasha Mitchell and guests on a humanity defining battle (Archive)
Apr 16, 2025
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Join Natasha Mitchell and her insightful guests, Peter Harrison, a leading scholar on the interplay of science and religion, Charles Wolfe, a philosopher of biology, and Anik Waldow, who explores our human place in nature. They delve into the historical and contemporary tensions between science and faith, unraveling the decline in scientific literacy and the rise of anti-science sentiments. They ponder the evolving concept of the soul, advocate for dialogues that bridge gaps, and highlight the need to integrate Indigenous wisdom with scientific understanding for a better future.
The podcast discusses the historical tension between science and religion, emphasizing how this relationship influences contemporary attitudes towards scientific authority amidst rising skepticism and misinformation.
It highlights the need to integrate diverse perspectives, such as philosophy and the arts, to address human existential questions that science alone may not fully satisfy.
Deep dives
The Historical Tension Between Science and Religion
Science has historically emerged from a complex relationship with religion, particularly within Western culture. This connection has played a role in establishing science as a dominant mode of knowledge since the 17th century, where figures like Francis Bacon viewed scientific inquiry as a redemptive means to regain humanity's lost dominion over nature. However, this dynamic has also contributed to exploitative approaches to the environment and created friction in modern contexts, such as the resistance to evolution and vaccine hesitancy supported by some religious beliefs. The multifaceted interaction between science and religion illustrates that they can coexist, yet often exist in tension, reflecting varying responses to existential questions regarding human existence and purpose.
Current Status of Science in Society
Science currently dominates our modes of knowledge, especially in the West, where it is viewed positively and is associated with respect for professionals like scientists and doctors. Nevertheless, there is an observable rise in skepticism towards scientific authority, partly fueled by misinformation and the cultural shift towards secularism alongside the emergence of religious fundamentalism. This environment has created challenges for scientific literacy and the acceptance of science among younger generations, which could diminish over time. Philosophers note that while science remains crucial for understanding nature and informing societal decisions, its singular approach may overlook broader questions of human existence that require deeper exploration.
The Pursuit of Meaning Beyond Science
The discussion around where meaning and purpose lie in the context of scientific progress reveals a potential disconnect between science and the innate human search for value. Many argue that while science excels in unraveling the complexities of the natural world, it often falls short in addressing questions of existence, morality, and personal identity. This gap may be filled by other disciplines such as philosophy, arts, and even social media which resonate with human experiences and emotions. Recognizing science as merely a section of a broader inquiry highlights the importance of integrating multiple perspectives to satisfy deeper existential inquiries, thus enriching our understanding of what it means to be human.
The Future Landscape of Knowledge and Belief
As we look to the future, questions arise about whether humanity can progress beyond the current paradigms of science and religion and what forms knowledge might take. Some scholars express skepticism about a purely secular future, contending that existential questions will endure regardless of advances in scientific understanding. This uncertainty leads to discussions on the role of science in society, whether it should aim for a comprehensive understanding of human needs, or remain strictly empirical. Ultimately, bridging the gaps between science, sociology, and spirituality could create frameworks that acknowledge human values while fostering a critical approach to scientific inquiry.
Join Natasha Mitchell and guests to grapple with some gritty paradoxes about science and religion, and in this era of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and existential angst — are they serving the needs they used to? Science drives much of modern life, and yet fewer people are drawn to studying it at school putting scientific literacy at risk. There's been a rise in anti-science sentiment and a questioning the authority of scientific expertise. Many societies are becoming more secular with fewer people claiming to follow a formal religion, yet religious fundamentalists and populists are being elected to power throughout the world.
This episode was first published on 29 May 2024
Speakers
Peter HarrisonHead, Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, University of QueenslandAuthor, Some New World: Myths of Supernatural Belief in a Secular Age
Anik WaldowProfessor of Philosophy, University of SydneyAuthor, Experience Embodied: Early Modern Accounts of the Human Place in Nature
Charles WolfeProfessor of Philosophy, University of Toulouse-2 Jean-JauresAuthor, The Philosophy of Biology Before Biology: A History of Vitalism
