In essay part XXXIII we learned some of the history of science and religion and differences between them. We learned that, among other things, religion predates science and that they differ in purpose in our lives. In the present essay Gould briefly discusses his two greatest Victorian heroes, Charles Darwin and Thomas Huxley and how both of them suffered the tragic loss of a beloved child and became so embittered that they lost any vestige of a personal belief in a just world governed by a loving God. This Undoubtedly changed their world and reshaped their writings that, in Darwin’s case, forever changed history’s world view. For him causes of life’s history (evolutionary theory) couldn’t solve the mysteries of life’s meaning. Huxley rejected immortality partially because he questioned why humans are granted immortality and “lower” animals who might benefit more from it are not. He reinforced the major principle of NOMA by saying that such a religious belief cannot be subject to scientific proof. His case for NOMA was rooted in the three non-overlapping aspects of integrity–religion for morality, science for factuality, and love for sancitity
In chapter two, Gould points out an interesting evolutionary supposition that our minds tend to work by dichotomy, that is, by concept utilizing complex problems as “either / or pairs” with only extremes considered and no middle ground .which probably resulted from an earlier time when the human brain could only comprehend in terms of on or off, yes or no, fight or flee, etc. Considering that our whole computer system is based on a binary system, we’ve come a long way haven’t we? Thus, when considering two dispute subjects (science and religion.) we assume that one of two extremes must apply; either they must battle to the death or they can be fully integrated into one grand scheme as NOMA (non-overlapping magesteria) that they hold equal worth and status and they remain distinct and fully separate. A classic example of the clash between science and religion resulted.from the trial of Galileo in 1633. More on that later.
Nicolas Copernicus had shaken the world with his heliocentric (sun centered) theory much like Darwin did two centuries later. Even since Ptolemy proclaimed the Earth centered theory, which held that the earth was the center of the entire universe, people interpreted that to include all aspects of life’s worldview including their religious beliefs .( Essay number II). The Catholic Church had banned the heliocentric theory (a clash of the two magisteria) and Galileo’s discoveries pretty much “proved”(within the realm of scientist proof) it.
The Galileo Affair
The year 1616: Galileo traveled to Rome to defend his writings and to defend Kepler’s theory of heliocentrism which by then most theologians accepted.
The year 1624: Galileo. went back to Rome to assure his old friend Pope Urban VIII of proof for heliocentrism. However his proof lacked validity (which is putting it mildly). Contrary to popular belief, he was never charged with heresy.
The year 1633. Galileo was called back to Rome to answer charges from 1624. Galileo admitted his wrongdoings. Then the Inquisition handed down a harsh verdict and sentence forcing him to recant his belief inheliocentrism but never imprisioned or tortured him
The year 1642: Galileo died the same year Isaac Newton was born.
Why the harsh punishment? Some historians attribute it to bad luck; others believe he brought it on himself. He was a social and political climber. He apparently wanted to be the Pope’s astronomer /mathematician. Others believe he had a falling out with the Pope.
Science and Religion in Historic Perception
According to Vern Bullough “Views have ranged from regarding the two as mutually independent to independent from each other with a different sphere of knowledge or magesterium to outright hostility” Andrew Dickenson White (1896) and ‘Wlliam Whewworld, Church leaders stressed that they were distinct entities but mutually reinforcing in Victorian England (Powele 1834, Cannon 1978) This union was shattered in 1859 when Darwin published his “On the Origin of Species.” According to Bullough “there is no conflict between science and religion but there is often one between religion and science.” The reason is that religion often tries to incorporate scientific ideas into theological explanations. At this point Gould raises the question “Are we related to other organisms by genealogical ties or as items in the ordered scheme of a divine Creator?” Why does so much of our DNA serve no purpose? What caused the mass extinctions that have punctuated the history of life?’’ Religion determines the moral basis of utility and a scientist has no more right to intervene in such matters than a fundamentalist has to be an expert on the age of the earth. I will use a simile to explain, in part, why science has sometimes come into conflict with religion. Before there was science, there was religion. All “why” questions fell under the realm of religion or theology. Thus questions like “why do the stars seem to twinkle or why does it rain” now placed under the magisterium of science became a question for religion to answer. Some questions now with a scientific explanation had a simple explanation: “How do I know, the Bible tells me so.” or “angels did it.”
Columbus and the Flat Earth
For those readers who say that until there was science people always believed that the earth was flat, Aristotle‘s cosmology assumed a spherical planet and Erath Eratosthenes in the third century B. C., actually, believe it or not, measured the circumference of the earth. So how, when, and why did the concept of a flat earth come about? Apparently, Church dogma championed the idea of provoking fear that one might fall off the edge of the earth into eternal damnation. An historical source of discord between religion and science is based on the fact that religious faith by its very nature is unchangeable. Science is. progressive and ever changing. For over 900 years virtually all intellectuals accepted a “flat earth theory” The Renaissance rekindled classical notions of a spherical planet but proof remained for the exploits of explorers like Magellan and Columbus-who returned from the opposite direction instead of falling off the edge of the world. However, Columbus never did reach Asia and the term “Indian” for Native American is attributed to this error. However, Columbus never fought any battles with ecclesiastical officials over the issue or nonissue of roundness vs flatness..
References
Gould, S. (1999) Rocks of Ages. New York; the Random House Publishing Group
Kurtz, P. (2003) Science and Religion. Amhearst, New York; Prometheus Books
I graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and earned a Master of Science degree in Education also from NIU in 1973. I taught in the Harlem School District (5 years), a Chicago suburb (1 year), and the Rockford, IL School District for 27 years (26 at East High School). I culminated my teaching career at Kishwaukee College (8 years) Two important events occurred in 1988: I married my wife Angie and I received a summer teacher’s research fellowship through the University of Illinois School of Medicine at Rockford. My primary responsibility was light microscopy and Scanning electron miscroscopy of rabbit renal arteries (effect of high cholesterol diet). For 14 years I was a citizen scientist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in their RiverWatch program (monitoring water quality) My hobbies and activities include gardening, golfing, bowling, downhill and cross country skiing, photography, including photomicroscopy and time lapse photography, spending time with my wife and our dog, and in the winter playing around in my small home biology & chemistry lab.
Beyond what I have written in past profiles, in the early 1980’s I was an EMT with the Boone Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Squad (BVARS) which fit in nicely with my science training and teaching. I also enjoy public speaking and made frequent scholarship presentations to graduating seniors and outstanding middle school students through the former Belvidere Y’ Men’s Club. I also made power point presentations of the RiverWatch program. But I most enjoyed making presentations at my high school reunions. Thanks guys for allowing me to do this.