Saurabh SharmaAIR 23 · CSE 2023 · 240 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a quotation
Einstein described that "religion without science is blind and Science without religion is lame".
Body · points and prose
The compatibility of religion and science has been contested since the advent of science during Renaissance period with by numerous scientific discovery (13th-18th CE).
Positivists like August Comte claimed that society would progress:-
Theological → Metaphysical → Scientific
Thus religious explaination to social reality would be replaced by philosophical explaination and eventually by rational and scientific enquiry. Herbert Spencer who is often termed as Social Darwinist backed this school of thought.
Early scientist like Galileo, Newton faced severe reprimand and often persecution for challenging religious explaination of phenomenons like Sun being at the centre, Earth being a sphere etc. Thus science since its advent was at direct conflict with religion.
However, even with advancement of science today, religion still occupies a central role in society testifying Durkheimian stand that religion being a social fact will remain universal and not just confined to primitive society.
As we see idols present even in superspecialist hospitals in India, we see religion and science coming close.
With the help of technology like mass media, religious preachings by charismatic leaders are propagated even faster today.
Fundamentalist who advocate for religious revivalism in absolute/orthodox manner are often using modern weaponry which is a product of science. e.g. Taliban forces carrying Ak-47.
Close · a summary
Religion and science can thus mutually reinforce each other, in placating mans intellectual derive and standing in times of his adversity.