RE: If someone says science can't explain everything what's the best way to repond?
December 14, 2016 at 11:55 am
As you've said, someone suggesting that "science cannot explain everything" is simply someone trying to push the 'god of the gaps' argument.
In response to this, I would remind the person of a few things...
1. Some things are simply facts. Regardless of our opinions about those things.
2. Science doesn't attempt to explain everything. Scientists do not claim to know everything. In fact, the very driving force behind science and the scientific method is a lack of understanding about how something works or why it works that way.
3. The scientific method is absolutely the most effective method we have for truly understanding the world around us.
4. Science is constantly expanding and enveloping new concepts and ideas. What was mystery yesterday can become common knowledge tomorrow.
Also, try to understand that this is a bit of a defense mechanism for many religious folks. Saying "Well... science can't explain this!" makes them feel a little more secure in their beliefs. Some people try to invalidate the very concepts of logic and reason themselves because they claim that not everything in life can be "solved" with logic and reason, which, I suppose, has some truth to it.
Many people also claim that science takes the "wonder" out of everything but I find just the opposite to be true. The fact that we are all, essentially, blown up star matter that has changed and evolved and grown through billions of years of evolution and other natural processes is the most wonderful thing of all. It's honestly mind-boggling to think that right now, as I type this, I am on a giant rock in the middle of space rotating around a huge, burning ball of gas that is ninety-three million miles away. If that's not wonderful, I don't know what is.
In response to this, I would remind the person of a few things...
1. Some things are simply facts. Regardless of our opinions about those things.
2. Science doesn't attempt to explain everything. Scientists do not claim to know everything. In fact, the very driving force behind science and the scientific method is a lack of understanding about how something works or why it works that way.
3. The scientific method is absolutely the most effective method we have for truly understanding the world around us.
4. Science is constantly expanding and enveloping new concepts and ideas. What was mystery yesterday can become common knowledge tomorrow.
Also, try to understand that this is a bit of a defense mechanism for many religious folks. Saying "Well... science can't explain this!" makes them feel a little more secure in their beliefs. Some people try to invalidate the very concepts of logic and reason themselves because they claim that not everything in life can be "solved" with logic and reason, which, I suppose, has some truth to it.
Many people also claim that science takes the "wonder" out of everything but I find just the opposite to be true. The fact that we are all, essentially, blown up star matter that has changed and evolved and grown through billions of years of evolution and other natural processes is the most wonderful thing of all. It's honestly mind-boggling to think that right now, as I type this, I am on a giant rock in the middle of space rotating around a huge, burning ball of gas that is ninety-three million miles away. If that's not wonderful, I don't know what is.
“Love is the only bow on Life’s dark cloud. It is the morning and the evening star. It shines upon the babe, and sheds its radiance on the quiet tomb. It is the mother of art, inspirer of poet, patriot and philosopher.
It is the air and light of every heart – builder of every home, kindler of every fire on every hearth. It was the first to dream of immortality. It fills the world with melody – for music is the voice of love.
Love is the magician, the enchanter, that changes worthless things to Joy, and makes royal kings and queens of common clay. It is the perfume of that wondrous flower, the heart, and without that sacred passion, that divine swoon, we are less than beasts; but with it, earth is heaven, and we are gods.” - Robert. G. Ingersoll
It is the air and light of every heart – builder of every home, kindler of every fire on every hearth. It was the first to dream of immortality. It fills the world with melody – for music is the voice of love.
Love is the magician, the enchanter, that changes worthless things to Joy, and makes royal kings and queens of common clay. It is the perfume of that wondrous flower, the heart, and without that sacred passion, that divine swoon, we are less than beasts; but with it, earth is heaven, and we are gods.” - Robert. G. Ingersoll
