Science vs. religion : what scientists really think - File PDF

108Society and Broader Publicsasserts that the only meaningful knowledge is scientific and that scientificknowledge has authority to interpret all other forms). 4 After giving other kindsof evidence, he ended his talk with the assertion that science is closer to beingChristian than to being atheistic. After the lecture, many of us remained topress Hutchinson for more information. Some of us left satisfied and some didnot, but he encouraged the students to probe further. While the content ofHutchinson’s lecture is important in its own right, this event is most relevantto our current discussion because of what it exemplifies: a sincere and brilliantscientist translating ideas about science and religion to a broader audience.While Hutchinson speaks to science on behalf of religion, others, such asphysicist Sylvester James Gates Jr., speak on behalf of science, addressing religionwhen necessary. In 2008, Gates gave a public lecture at Rice Universityentitled “Einstein’s New Millennium Legacy.” 5 Like the science that Hutchinsonengages, Gates’s work as named professor and director of the Center forString and Particle Theory at the University of Maryland is hard for the nonspecialistto understand. As if sensing the possible intimidation factor, Gatesbegan his talk by putting the crowd at ease with the words, “If you see anythingyou think is physics, you are hallucinating.” Easygoing, Gates quipped thatwhen scientists found background radiation in the universe, they said, “MyGod, ET has nuclear weapons!” Gates then transitioned to the theme of hislecture: “What is the nature of science?” According to Gates, “Science does notdepend on us; it is always there. It is up to us to figure it out.” At one point inthe lecture, Gates remarked that science is different from other human beliefs:This is because, with science, we can abandon at the drop of a hat beliefs that wehave held dear for centuries, once we have new information. Science cannot be athreat to anyone’s religion. Science is about measuring things. It is not abouttruth, but it is about reducing the falsity of our beliefs.The package Gates was delivering was an increase in the acceptance of science.But helping the audience to understand how science and religion connectwas one of the vehicles he drove. In the question-and-answer portion of thesession, Gates said, “If we as a society are worried about moral issues comingout of science, we must have the public involved.” When someone in the audienceasked what scientists could do to better transmit science to the broaderpublic, Gates remarked in the course of his answer that “scientists must beopen, honest, and sincere with the public.” In an informal period after the lecture,students pressed Gates further about the connection between religion andscience, and he did not shy away. He encouraged the remaining small group ofstudents to go directly to the writings of the scientists themselves, rather than