Science and Religion Flashcards
What is an argument?
An argument is an opinion backed up by evidence and justification
What are the two parts required to justify an argument?
premises and a conclusion
What is the definition of an argument?
A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action or theory
What is the structure of a deductive argument?
2 or more premises and a conclusion
What is validity?
When the premises lead neccesarily to the conclusion
What is soundness?
When an argument is valid and the premises are true
When was the last time a sound argument was made (to the nearest 10 years)
Never
What is a conclusive argument?
An argument that is not sound, but the truth of the premises would never be doubted e.g. 2+2=4
Why are sound arguments so hard to make
Because most of the time there are language problems
What is an inductive argument?
When the past is used to predict the future or a subset is used to predict a whole group. Inductive arguments have 1 premise
How useful is inductive reasoning?
Very useful- without it we would be probably too scared to take a step
What are the:
Key characteristics of Inductive arguments?
- Reasonable conclusion
- Inductive
- Not neccesarily true
What is:
Proof that the Earth is expanding?
- When an object is tinted red, it is moving away and when it is tinted, blue, it is moving towards
- Edward Hubble employed 50 women to observe the planets, who all found out that all observable planets are moving away from humans
What is the definition of:
Myth
(All definitions according to google dictionary)
A traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.
What is the:
Theory of evolution
- Some animals in a species have random mutations
- These can be advantageous or disadvantageous
- If they are advantageous, can out compete and then reproduce to pass on the genes
What is:
The Big Bang theory
- Explosion from a single singularity
- Universe expands ever since
Why can:
The Bible be useful?
The Bible can be useful when it is demythologised
How can the:
Bible be criticised?
Genesis 1 and 2 contradict each other
What are the different types of:
Christianity
(In terms of interpretation)
- Fundementalist
- Conservative
- Liberals
What is the view of:
Fundementalists
- The Bible contains the Word of God as dictated directly to men.
- It contains no mistakes and must be obeyed to the letter.
- The bible must be understood literally (word for word).
- All parts have equal authority
What is the view of:
Liberals
The bible contains the Word of God as people (who make mistakes) have tried to impersonate it. Some of it must be taken with a “pinch of salt, because it reflects the attidtude of the writer nad not God’s message. There are many historical inaccuracies; however, the Bible can be trusted to broadly express what God intended”
What is the view of:
Conservaties
The Bible contains the Word of God as revealed to and interpreted by inspired people.
Some of the writing may be unclear or symbolic, but non of it is not “true”.
We must bear in mind the prejudices of the writers and the times in which they wrote. Some parts e/g/ life and teachings of Christ have more authority than others
What is the view of:
Seculars
The Bible is not the Word of God, but it contains much wisdom and valuable teaching. Stories about miracles and divine acts should not be taken at face value, but as poetic representations of truths discovered by humans.
What is the view of:
Posmodern
There is no absolute truth in the Bible, and therefore no single meaning to be discovered in it. Rather the meaning and the truth is created by the reader, and depends on the beliefs and experiences they hold when they read it.
Is conservative closer to Fundementalist or Liberal?
Fundementalist
What is the main difference between Genesis 1 and 2
Genesis 1 has all the animals made first, whereas in genesis 2 man was made first
