Cha 11 Religion and Science

Religion and Science
- GROUP 6
Group Members:
• Supriya Rayamajhi
• Shristy Satyal
• Ragini Raut
• Shashwat Singh Rupakheti
• Pragati Shakya
Author’s Biography
 Alfred North Whitehead (1861 A.D -1978 A.D),born in Ramsgate,
England
 Counted among greatest philosophers and mathematicians of 20th
century
 Teaching career in reputable universities and colleges ,expanding from
England to United States
 England: Trinity college (Sr. lecturer) & Imperial College of Science
and Technology (professor)
United states: Harvard University (professor)
 Background of expertise and knowledge of different fields such as mathematics
and philosophy
 Unlike many scholars, his knowledge was not concentrated in only one subject
matter and he was flexible making forays into different subject matters
 Work of his being technical, available to those with special training only
 Later works of philosophy directed towards affecting a more general yet
reasonably well-educated group of readers
 An atheist who started to believe in God only later in life
Introduction
 A section from the book titled “Science and the Modern World” published in 1925
A.D
 Addresses controversy surrounding religion and science apparent after the
publication of “Origin of Species”, a book written by Darwin through a scientific
lens
 People torn between choosing religion or science
 Tries to soften the disagreements between these two powerful forces with his
explanation that put things in perspective
 To be read with an open mind without leaning towards any one of the two subject
matters to process the writers thoughts correctly
Summary
-SHRISTY SATYAL
 In formal logic, contradiction is a signal of defeat, but in
evolution of real knowledge it is a progress, “Let both grow
together until the harvest.”
 Itis easy to find a theory which is logical and considers
important facts, if we are to disregard half of the evidence by
calling it a nonsense
 To consider the whole of the evidence, even contradictory seems
easy, but is difficult to follow
 A reason for such difficulty is our tendency to act before thinking
 We adopt with the different ideas suitable for different
spheres
 Theses ideas are to be trusted, if we find them generally
adequate
 These ideas are inherited and followed as tradition
 Traditions are ever changing, sometimes growing,
sometimes fading the other times transforming, due to the
urge for critical reasoning.
 The religious influence has been gradually decreasing in the
Europe
 People
are simplifying religion to make their life
comfortable
 Two possible causes can be suggested for such decline in the
religious influence
 One of them is the hesitance of religion to modify its ideas
or principles
 Religious thinkers focus on defense rather than progress
 The
modification of vital principle are always followed by
some struggle, distress or anathema
 This type of psychology towards changing for progress has
destroyed the intellectual authority of religious thinkers.
 In contrast, science has always considered the modification of its
idea as a triumph. When Darwin or Einstein come up with new
ideas we do not consider it as a defeat because old ideas are
given up.
 If religion is to show same spirit towards the progressive change,
it could regain its old power
 Though religious principle are considered eternal, its expressions
needs to be continually developed
 This kind of evolution will allow the religion to separate
itself from imaginative picture of previous world or
imperfect science and to grow independently
 The next reason for the fall of the religious influence in
people’s life is due failure to understand true meaning of
religion
 Religionhas been forced to be seen as something to fear. It
was an instrument used by the cruel and tyrant leaders that
could raise their fear among people
 Another definition of religion is the reaction of human nature
to its search of god
 But again we are critical towards representation of god under
the aspect of power
 Thiscritical view has risen due to science, our psychology is
highly influenced by science thus such expression of religion
are weakening
 We today have deduced the Religion as some conduct leading
to comfortable life
 But Religion is a vision of something beyond and within the passing
flux , something which is real and we are yet to explore
 The religious visions are expanding, they fade and they reoccur, they
renew themselves with added richness and purity on content
 The power of God is the worship he inspires, never forces or
overrules us, instead it helps us to gain understanding
 Religion is an adventure towards unattainable, not a rule of safety
Interpretation
-SHASHWAT RUPAKHETI
Religion vs Science
Religion – Ethics and
Aesthetic Values
Science – Distinct set
of rules and Based on
Experiments.
Science is more progressive than religion
 Science is accepting the mistakes and correcting it.

Examples:
Aristotle in 340BC said that “Earth is stationery at the center
and sun revolves around it”. But later Galileo proved that sun
is fixed and earth revolves around it.
In 18th century, people believed Newton, about “Light being a
particle” but in 19th century, people believed Huygens, who
said that “Light is a wave”.
Arguments with Religion
 People being forced under a certain religion
= Concept of Original Sin.
 Religion tries to claim it’s power through brute fear.
= Those who don’t worship God will be punished by him after
death in hell.
 Must ensure change according to time.
= The religious beliefs at the beginning of the fifth century,
still lingers in the present theology.
Bases of religion being shady
= “ In early medieval times, heaven was in the sky, and
hell was underground. Volcanoes were the jaws of hell.”
The concept of heaven and hell is wrong since no one

till the date has neither found heaven, up in the sky or
the hell, under the ground.
Present status of Religion around
the world
Nowadays many people are losing faith against
religion.
Specially in America and Scandinavian (group of
countries in Europe) countries religion is fading.
But in Russia, due to Putin’s attempt to bring back
religious conservatism, the religion is flourishing at its
greatest.
Interpretation Contd.
-PRAGATI SHAKYA
What is the need of religion to
flourish itself like science?
 The influence of religion has been decreasing.
 The religion does not let have a comfortable life.
 Religion can be united as a whole.
 Religion should try to solve the controversial problems.
What can religion learn from science?
Religion can change in such a way that they can live

a comfortable life.
Religion must change according to time and
generation
Relion can be based on facts and proof.
Religion can be united to create peace?
Conclusion
 The future course of history depending upon the verdict the generation gives
on the controversy regarding theology and science
 Both scientific and religious beliefs are subject to change and evolution
 The changes brings about an inclusive view of both the subjects rather than
the utmost contrast brought about by generally conceived notions
 The differences between science and religion to be taken as an enriching
contrast that complement one another
 Readers asked not to oppose science with a poor analysis of existent religious dogmas
and institutions
 Not to oppose religion with a preconceived notion and rhetoric “disillusionment”
References
• https://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relationship_between_religion_and_science
• https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/religion-science/
• http://
www.satishstha.com.np/wlbns/index.php?cat=artcl&gnr=mengba&page
=showArtcl&id=11
• https://
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2013/dec/02/bertrand-russ
ell-philosopher-religion-fear-christian
• https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1925/08/religion-and-sci
ence/304220
/
Thank You
Any Questions?

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Religion and Science

 Science is accepting the mistakes and correcting it.

The concept of heaven and hell is wrong since no one

Religion can change in such a way that they can live

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