Science As A Belif System Flashcards
What is scientism?
Scientism suggests that the scientific method provides the inky means of gaining trust and knowledge
Most scientists don’t subscribe to scientism buy most don’t accept that science is the only means of understanding the world
What is science?
Value free, objective, unbiased and rigours
Based on empricle evidence and facts tested by experiments rather than on faith
Knowledge rather than belief
What system is science?
Open
Subject to falsification and inderpendant of state and government
What system is religion?
Closed
Accepted on blind faith and links to the state
Open- why does popper say science is open?
Because scientific reaserch is open to scrutiny, questioning and critiism
OPEN- what do Merton and pooper say institutions of science follow?
CUDOS
C- communism (scientists share findings)
U- universalism (everyone can do this and everyone can be scrutinised)
D- disinterest (delta thing from ideological basis)
O/S- organised scepticism (used objective criticism
Closed- what does Horton say?
-Assert all embracing and under changing body of beliefs and make claims that can’t be disproved
-Any evidence of challenge to a belief is dismissed by followers or explained in a way that fits into existing belif
Closed- what does Horton say?
-Assert all embracing and under changing body of beliefs and make claims that can’t be disproved
-Any evidence of challenge to a belief is dismissed by followers or explained in a way that fits into existing belief
Closed- Polyani what is the circularity of belief?
-Deny litimacy tor rivals
-Emprical evidence of god isn’t needed the same way as it is for religion as its based on faith therefore we get this circulatory of belief
E.g
How can you prove god exists
( )
God will provide you with faith You must have faith
( )
How can you have faith w/o evidence
How can we argue that science is more of a closed system than suggested?
If a new theory where to share the foundations of such firmly accepted beliefs they would be rejected as they are unscientific
How can we argue that religion is more of an open system than suggested?
Some religion organisations change their stance on certain issues like LGBTQ+ and roles of women
How does he state impact religion and science?
Science is dependant on funding from various sources including corperate
Therefore, often conducted with a view to reach for a particular outcome
Scientific evidence may be funded by govt, therefore not that indeprendang
Is science and religion separate- Rationalist?
Those who believe that science has allowed us to discover real knowledge about the world and assert that religion has no claim on truth at all
Are science and religion separate- Relativists?
Believe that science and religion are separate
Science provides certain knowledge whereas religions responsible for moral guidance
Both are equally valid
Case study- Creationism v Evolution?
What’s creationism?
Life and the universe were created by a supernatural being and belevolent god
Case study- Creationism v Evolution?
What is evolution?
Process by which different kinds of living organisms developed and diverted from earlier forms during history of earth
Case study- Creationism v Evolution?
2 differences between the two?
1) C is not scientific whereas E is
2) C is not testable whereas E is
Case study- Creationism v Evolution?
What is creationism based on?
Progressive creationism based on primitive autionomy discovered by no one biblical version of the truth
Gap creationism claims world is scientifically accepted age
Case study- Creationism v Evolution?
Which has more support?
C- 46%
E- 35%
Case study- Creationism v Evolution?
What do supporters of intelligent design argue?
Including variety of beliefs based on the idea that divine intervention led to something that may appear like evolution
How has religion responded to science?
Many settle for a combination of E and C called intelligent design which is the belief that eveolution occurred but has been guided by a supreme being or god
This blend of science and religion hasn’t stopped with ID
Many NAMS new age movement are using science to justify spiritual beliefs e.g astrology
Has science replaced religion- Bruce?
Scientific method is challenging religion as a belief system
This has happened after modernity because we want more eveidence based caused
E.g. the theory of evolution displaces biblical account of the creation given in the back of genesis in the Christian bible
Has science replaced religion?
Science may expect to gradually displace religion
But this hasn’t happened and we still have extraordinary powers over human behaviour
