Beliefs In Society: Science and Religion

Question 1

what is a science?

Answer 1

knowledge is based on empirical evidence
scientists ignore personal feelings
remains objective at all times
rational and logical thinking
observations, theories, and hypotheses must be testable

Question 2

what is falsification?

Answer 2

the act of trying to prove a theory false.
Popper argues that theories in science can never be proven, but they can be falsified, meaning that it can and should be scrutinised by experiments.
evidence for falsification:
The Big Bang theory - many scientists accept this theory and it is supported by lots of observational data

Question 3

rationalism vs relativism

Answer 3

Rationalism is the view that knowledge must be based upon fact/truth. Before science, there were too many conflicting beliefs for them all to be true. Religion has no claim on the truth at all.
relativism: the idea that all forms of knowledge are of equal importance. science shouldn’t be given special status.
Science = certain knowledge about the world.
Religion = moral guidance about the world
closely linked to postmodernism
There are many beliefs in society: and science is one of them.

Question 4

social construction of science: Paradigms

Answer 4

Kuhn challenged the traditional view of science projects. Scientists work within a shared paradigm, a framework that affects what kinds of data should be collected, what theories should be developed, and which research methods are acceptable.

Question 5

science and religion

Answer 5

science is an open system of ideas (testable)
science rejects evidence that challenges its claims
science eventually creates new paradigms

Question 6

atheism and science

Answer 6

Atheists find it difficult to believe in the supernatural phenomenon illustrated in religious dogma and are sceptical. This scepticism is generally referred to as agnosticism rather than atheism. Agnostics remain doubtful about the existence of God.
Staunch Atheists usually take a rationalist stance. Atheists contest that arguments for the existence of God are illogical. These atheists believe that the God of world religions can’t exist. They argue there is no scientific basis for the claims made by faiths and maintain there is factual evidence to refute them.
Atheists reject the relativist view. they disagree that religion should be allowed to dominate issues of morality. they adopt a human rights approach, stating there are universal human values that underpin standards of behaviour.

Question 7

religion and spirituality: what is Religious Spirituality?

Answer 7

the belief in the sacred which is generally set apart from the individual.

Question 8

religion and spirituality: what is New Age spirituality?

Answer 8

the belief in one’s self, aimed at personal well-being and personal development.

Question 9

religion and spirituality: similarities between the various New Age movements

Answer 9

• The rejection of science: they favour subjectivity, they think personal evidence can be the basis for knowledge, no scientific evidence for their therapies and techniques
• The rejection of organised religions: too authoritarian and traditional, it lacks a spiritual intensity
• Scepticism of professional expertise: use alternative therapy as it is important to treat the client holistically, think doctors are narrow-minded