There are many differences in methods used by science and religion. Which ones are more fundamental is not very clear. The basic method of religion is to explain the world by already existing beliefs. Those beliefs may be extended or redefined to revolutionize religion. Theology as a "method" of religion is an attempt to study a religion and explain its ideas rather than discover new ideas or create a new religion based on the theologians reflections. Religion is mostly concerned with moral values, what is right and what is wrong. Proof is not necessary for religious purposes. Most religions are linked to tradition. Throughout centuries people were forced into believing. Science tries to learn new things about the world, to extend the body of knowledge about the universe. Science uses logic and gives evidence, so there is no need for pushing the scientific discoveries. It is concerned with practical issues. Science helps solve existing problems. Science is accepting open minds. New ideas are often rejected in religious circles. Scientific method uses logic and requires evidence to support theories. Science must be falsifiable. It has to make progress.
Religion and science both look for answers on still unanswered questions. The
Barbour presents four ways of relating religion and science. They ask same questions and they disagree, which creates conflict. Scientists who reject religion see scientific method as the only reliable way to acquire knowledge. In contrast theists who believe everything the Bible teaches and reject other scientifically projected explanations of world creation. They may ask different questions and do not disagree, which places them into independent positions from each other. Two different languages are used. Science uses language of observation and religion uses language of norms. Scientific language is open to empirical testing and religious is not. They find themselves in dialogue, asking similar questions. General characteristics of both are used in order to create dialogue. They can be integrated by finding agreements at certain points. Religion and science work together in explaining the natural world.
A pseudoscience is set of ideas based on theories put forth as scientific when they are not scientific. Pseudoscientific theories are based upon an authoritative text rather than observation or empirical investigation. Some pseudoscientific theories explain what non-believers cannot even observe. Bunge describes pseudoscience as having a subjectivistic theory of knowledge. There is little mathematics or logic involved. Hypothesis is non testable and in conflict with largher body of knowledge. Their methods are not checkable by alternative methods. They do not overlap with other fields of research. There are no well-confirmed theories and no specific background. Pseudoscience has an unchanging body of belief and admits elusive immaterial entities.
Kuhn writes about paradigm, which is an organizing model or theory with great explanatory power. Immature science is in its beginning phase and should be considered preparadigmatic. When science matures it is said to be paradigmatic. Paradigms may be false, but they can help, because people learn more quickly through error than confusion. Scientific crises can cause paradigm change resulting from abnormalities. Paradigm change is change of values. Normal day-to-day science can articulate a paradigm, but it can't change it. The word "science" in his opinion should be reserved for progressive fields. He thinks that humanities and religion are preparadigmatic. In his opinion change in paradigm does not bring us closer to the truth. It can only give wider view, more accuracy and more problem solving.
Scientific method involves a series of steps that have to be taken in order to
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