Religion and science
Science is that branch of knowledge which deals with the material world, the world and natural phenomena that are observable, measurable and perceivable[1] by the senses. Scientific knowledge is based on two important factors: observation and reflection[2]. The former involves the use of the senses, and the latter is concerned with the exercise of theoretical reason, speculation[3] and hypotheses[4]. The interpretation of experimental data normally involves preconceived[5] ideas and hypotheses of the investigator. Observed scientific reality therefore acquires much of its meaning and significance[6] through what a theory or hypothesis may give it. The researcher may otherwise have difficulty to make sense of his observations. Experimentation alone, without theoretical reasoning, can not therefore yield[7] significant[8] information about nature or the observed phenomenon.
Positivism or the denial of reality to anything not perceived[9] through the senses or not measurable by mathematics has become the tacit[10] postulate[11] of all that goes under the name of modern or western science. This attitude and outlook has pervaded[12] all branches of science, including the humanities and social sciences. Every reality, whether natural or human, must be studied by one and the same method. It follows that all problems, including those of morality, society and politics can be addressed[13] and resolved by the scientific method.
The philosophy of science deals with philosophical issues that arise in connection with science. Questions such how is our knowledge of the physical world obtained, and what are the postulates[14] underlying scientific inquiry, the nature of causality[15] etc., are addressed by the philosophy of science. The truth of an object in Greek philosophy, for example, lay not in the external manifestation[16] of the object but in the inherent[17] idea that the object manifested. This conception of truth reflected more on the essence[18] rather than the material manifestation of truth. Such a view of the world was inclined[19] toward mystical[20] and allegorical[21] meaning of reality and truth. Natural sciences, which studied matter, mortal and changing phenomena, could not therefore be a noble pursuit.[22]
Religion is concerned with the totality of existence both in this world and the next.
Science concern itself with this world alone and that too in a restricted sense. The exact sciences, as they are known, concern themselves with nature, whereas in social sciences both the natural and the social are combined. Religion is not as averse[23] to science, one might say, as science to religion. This is because religion does not reject scientific truth, whereas science does reject the religious truth. Some Muslim and Christian commentators have even read religion and science as an extension of one another. Sayyed Ahmad khan (d.1898) went on record to say that “the word of God as expounded in the Qur’an, cannot be contradictory[24] to the work of God.” As the words of God are unchanging, so are the works of God and the laws of nature.
[1] - may be felt, noticeable, detectable, may be sensed
[2] -act of casting back a mirror image; act of sending back energy from a surface; state of being reflected; image that is reflected; idea, concept; thought, notion; act of placing blame, accusation
[3] - contemplation, deliberation; conjecture, hypothesis; act of engaging in risky business transactions; buying and selling of commodities in order to profit from market fluctuations.
[4] - explanation which gives a reason for observed phenomena, theory (especially in the sciences); supposition, assumption.
[5] - considered in advance, presupposed; determined in advance, decided in advance based on prejudice (about an opinion
[6] - importance, consequence; meaning, sense; quality of having meaning
[7] --n. crop, harvest, return, produce; income, profit
v. produce, supply, bear (profit, harvest, fruit, etc.); give; relinquish; surrender; comply; withdraw
[8] -important, consequential; meaningful, having meaning; of a considerable amount
[9] -sensed, noticed, seen, discerned
[10] -communicated wordlessly, implied without being expressed in words
[11] -n. assumption, premise; requirement, prerequisite; basic principle, fundamental tenet; axiom, fact that requires no proof
v. presume, suppose; assume, take for granted; claim, stipulate; demand, require
[12] -penetrate, infiltrate; extend, spread out; fill
[13] -direct to; speak to; direct to a specific destination, mark with an address (as in a letter or package); refer
[14] -direct to; speak to; direct to a specific destination, mark with an address (as in a letter or package); refer
[15] -relation of cause and effect, causal quality or agency
[16] -act of manifesting; state of being manifested; demonstration or indication or something; materialization of a spirit; public rally or demonstration- مظهر،اشکار سازى ،ظهور،ابراز
[17] -adj. intrinsic, existing as a natural and integral part, natural, inborn -ذاتي، اصلي، چسبنده
[18] -n. inherent nature of something, spirit, central or outstanding characteristic; extract obtained from a plant or other substance by means of distillation; perfume, scent -فروهر، هستي، وجود، ماهيت، گوهر، ذات، اسانس
[19] -disposed, having a tendency; sloping, descending- مايل ،کج ،مورب
[20] - adj. pertaining to or derived from mysticism; spiritually powerful, supernatural; mystic, mysterious -عرفانى
[21] -adj. metaphorical, figurative, containing an allegory- مجازي، رمزي، كنايهاي، تمثيلي
[22] - n. chase, hunt; quest, search; occupation, pastime
تعقيب، پيگرد، تعاقب، حرفه، پيشه، دنبال، پيگيري
[23] -adj. opposed, unwilling; loath -بيزار،مخالف ،متنفر،برخلاف ميل
[24] -adj. opposing; inconsistent -متضاد،متناقض ،مخالف ،متباين