Religion vs Science

The argument paper gives different definitions of the two forces based on Gould’s and Popper’s views as well as accounting for their relationship. Lastly, the paper relates both religion and science to an example from one of the films watched during the course. Definition of Science Stephen Gould believes that science has a separate teaching authority domain from religion. According to Gould, science does not and will never conflict with religion because “Science tries to document the factual character of the natural world and to develop theories that coordinate and explain these facts.  “ He adopted the “magisterium” term to address the two spheres of concern. According to Gould, religion does not and will never conflict with science because “it operates in the equally important, but utterly different, the realm of human purposes, meanings, and values—subjects that the factual domain of science might illuminate, but can never resolve” (Gould 4).

According to his view, the domain of religion “extends over questions of ultimate meaning and moral value. ” Generally, Gould views religion as an area of inquiry that evaluates some questions pertaining meaning and final objectives (Gould 177). It calls individuals to search the definitions of lives, goals and morality governing their decisions. Gould has characterized religion very well based on ethics, the morality of individuals and terms it as the only enterprise that focuses searching for ultimate meanings. In case scientists go past the explication and description of the natural phenomenon, and reasoning about how people should conduct themselves by depending on their science, they go beyond their own experience. On the other hand, if religious believers take the initiative to describe factual things, whose details are based pertains science, by based on their religious beliefs, they also violate their boundaries (Popper 41).

According to description concerning both Science and religion, Gould believes that “Science tries to document the factual character of the natural world, and to develop theories that coordinate and explain these facts. Religion, on the other hand, operates in the equally important, but utterly different, realm of human purposes, meanings, and values” (Gould 4). Gould uses the word “magisteria” to label the two distinct areas of religion and science. According to them, this portrays a critical difference in science and religion. According to Popper and Gould, both science and religion play a significant role and scope in the life of a human being, and each of them focuses on answering specific questions. Generally, both Popper and Gould believe that religion is categorized as morality or ethics for an individual and domain that focusses on searching the ultimate meanings.

The decisions and discussions concerning the responsibilities towards the other individuals are not according to the two scholars the primary focus of science. Instead, they are left to religion. The encrypted message contained plans of manufacturing a big machine that looks like a space aircraft which will probably take one person to the universe and meet with the aliens. The primary element in the film involves congressional meeting to find out who will be an astronaut. At some point during the meeting, Palmer fools Ellie by enquiring whether she believed in God (Hart and Goldenberg). The strength of the film is seen in different ways it approaches issues that are applicable in today’s life and are rarely discussed in the film industry.