Science as a belief system

Question 1

Science has a very great impact on the world today

Answer 1

• eradicated fatal diseases and many basic features of daily life e.g transport, communications, work etc - most people look to science for illness
• has raised our standard of living
  Popper -cumulative knowledge - it builds on achievements of previous scientists to develop a greater and greater understanding of the world around us
  However - many people have questioned science and it is not always accepted
• can also cause problems such as pollution, global warming and weapons of mass destruction

Question 2

Science is more dominant in schools

Answer 2

• science is compulsory within school
• taught as a fact whereas religion is questioned and not every school teaches it
  However - the demand for faith schools is still high which shows that religion is still influential

Question 3

Science/religion is still a closed belief system (not very accepting)

Answer 3

-any scientist who challenges science is likely to be ridiculed and hounded out of the profession

Religion
- claims to have a special perfect knowledge of the truth and its knowledge is sacred and religious organisations claim it to hold authority
- this means it cannot be challenged or changed