Conflicts Between Science and Religion: Epistemology to the Rescue

TL;DR

This paper explores the philosophical conflicts between science and religion, proposing that clear definitions and epistemological analysis can reveal these conflicts as superficial or illusory.

Contribution

It offers a precise definition of science and religion, demonstrating that apparent conflicts are often misunderstandings rather than fundamental disagreements.

Findings

Science encompasses all natural phenomena as per Einstein and Schrödinger.

Conflicts between science and religion are often due to ambiguous definitions.

Epistemology can clarify and resolve perceived conflicts.

Abstract

Both Albert Einstein and Erwin Schr\"{o}dinger have defined what science is. Einstein includes not only physics, but also all natural sciences dealing with both organic and inorganic processes in his definition of science. According to Schr\"{o}dinger, the present scientific worldview is based on the two basic attitudes of comprehensibility and objectivation. On the other hand, the notion of religion is quite equivocal and unless clearly defined will easily lead to all sorts of misunderstandings. Does science, as defined, encompass the whole of reality? More importantly, what is the whole of reality and how do we obtain data for it? The Christian worldview considers a human as body, mind, and spirit (soul), which is consistent with Cartesian ontology of only three elements: matter, mind, and God. Therefore, is it possible to give a precise definition of science showing that the conflicts are actually apparent and not real?