SCIE: UNIT 1

• Science


  Attempts to bring coherence to our experiences
• Religion


  Attempts to infuse our experiences with meaning
• Science


  Statements about sensory information
• Religion


  Statements which we cannot perceive with our senses
• Science


  Public and conveyed in terms which can be precisely defined
• Religion


  Often private and difficult to express in well-defined terms
• Science results


  Tentative
• Inductive attitude


  Having the honesty, courage to reassess ur beliefs when you find new evidence
• Moral qualities associated with inductive attitude


  • Intellectual courage
  • Intellectual honesty
  • Wise restraint
• Intellectual courage


  To be ready to revise any one of our beliefs
• Intellectual honesty


  Willing to change a belief when there's a compelling reason to
• Wise restraint


  Not to change beliefs capriciously without good reason
• Importance of understanding science

  • Enables individuals to critically evaluate scientific claims to recognize reliable info from mis-information.
  • Underpins many social debates: climate change & genetic engineering. (meaningful participation & informed decisions)
  • Fosters appreciation of scientific achievements and their social impact
• Relation between science and society


  1. Derry talks about how scientific developments improve daily life, thru technology in medicine, communication, & transportation.

  2. Scientific development also provokes ethical discussions, ex: genetic engineering or environmental sustainability.

  3. Social values shape scientific research prioritizes and public policies.
• Relation between science and religion

  1. Derry recognizes the Historical and contemporary conflicts over topics like evolution and origins of the universe

  2. Science operates on empirical evidence and testable hypotheses, whereas, religion draws on faith and revelation

  3. However, Derry notes that sometimes Scientists will integrate religious beliefs within scientific exploration, viewing both as complementary domains for understanding the natural world and human existence.
• "Meaning" in Religious


  Existential significance of something
• "Meaning" in Science


  Based on facts, not anything deep
• Main difference between religious and scientific sense of "meaning"


  Comes from context and contemplation
• Scientific observer could see an ecosystem, mystic observer could see a created sacred beauty
• Meaning in Science can be based on data or facts from the observed and understood, Religion may be based on the existential
• Science is sensory information, Religion is transcendent and may not be located in any time, space or matter
• Science does not want to give life significance, Religion does
• Climate change as a public concern

  1. Escalating global temperatures, diminishing ice cover, rising sea levels

  2. Governments pursuing energy-efficient strategies and technologies to mitigate climate change

  3. Some political leaders remain skeptical or dismissive of climate change
• Supporters of climate action

  Emphasize importance of scientific research, advocate for policies prioritizing environmental sustainability and resilience
• Skeptics of climate change

  Question climate science, influenced by misinformation or differing priorities like economic development
• Bridging divergent perspectives is crucial for effective climate policy and action
• Example of Intellectual Courage


  • In a discussion about Climate change, I was open to reconsidering views after reading new scientific findings that contracted my previous view.
• Example of Intellectual Honesty


  • While studying for an exam, I realized that I had misunderstood a key concept, instead of ignoring it, I reach out for clarification from my professor and revised my notes to understand the material accurately.
• Example of Wise Restraint

  • When deciding on a career, I initially leaned to popular fields due to social expectations. However, I took the time to reflect on my own personal interests and strengths, ultimately choosing a career path that aligns with my long-term goals and passions.