La Salle University Graduate
Religion Program 50th Anniversary Colloquium
Session on Religion and
Science – Monday, June 26, 2000
Andrew T. Dolan
Characteristics of modern science:
Galileo: induction from observation and calculation, rather than deduction from eternal principles
Newton: laws govern physical processes
Darwin: random chance—rather than discernible purpose—as a key factor in evolutionary processes
experimentation is an exercise in falsification, i.e., an attempt to demonstrate whether a hypothesis is false, rather than verification, which would freeze conclusions, precluding reformulation resulting from new data or less cumbersome interpretations of the data: thus, a scientific conclusion is not proven, settled, or necessarily final (contrary to “experiments” often done in science classes, where the answer is frozen in the textbook)
proof:
] reasoned propositions in logic and mathematics
] can be (erroneously) presumed to be objective and uninterpreted
] static; not subject to reinterpretation or multiple interpretations
evidence:
] recognized as interpreted; can be reinterpreted
] requires judgment
] fits together with imagination, more or less probable models and theories
] substance of the enterprise of historians and scientists
myths and scientific models: similarities
] emerge from reflection on experience
o experience for myths openly includes intuition, emotion, and the nondiscursive
] function as an interpretive lens or frame for making sense of experience
] not empirical, though may be based on much empirical data
myths and scientific models: differences
] myths: interpretations involving purpose, values, and meaning; why (purpose) questions
] models: interpretations involving empirical and mathematical realities; how (function) questions
private epistemologies
these philosophies of knowing do not require communal
discernment or dialogue
rationalism: epistemological stance that we can only really know by reason; thus, what we really know is that for which we have proof: math and logic; excludes sensory data, intuition, emotion, mystical knowledge, traditional and communal truths (R. Descartes)
empiricism: epistemological stance that we can only really know by our senses; thus, what we really know are directly observed empirical realities; excludes intuition, emotion, mystical knowledge, traditional and communal truths, mathematical and logical inferences (D. Hume)
scientism: epistemological stance that we can only really know by science; precludes the possibility of there being inherent purpose or meaning to the universe or us (S. Weinberg)
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