For those not familiar with Boolean logic XOR stands for Exclusive Or (otherwise known as ‘exclusive disjunction’). In plain English it means that instead of choosing 1) one or 2) the other or 3) both the choice is limited ‘exclusively’ to choices of only one or the other.
My question, are science and religion mutually exclusive? If one is a true scientist can he also be deeply religious?
Science is the pursuit of the truth through theory (or hypothesis), followed by experimentation to validate those theories. Everything in a person’s worldview will shape the formation of his theories, this is unavoidable no matter what anyone says. It would be like saying that an author can write without choosing words that convey the meaning (or slant) they want to present.
In moving from theory to validation of those facts, if only the facts are accepted it would naturally exclude falsehoods included in the theory.
So what’s the problem? Someone who is deeply religious can also be an exacting scientist as long as he only accepts the truth. The facts are the facts. The interpretation of the facts are the real issue. Interpretation is and always will be subjective. A true scientist will state his opinion of the facts as his opinion of the facts. I cannot recall the last time I wasn’t fed more subjective science rather than true science. Critical thinking demands asking “why” and “how” the conclusion was reached and requires that the facts be presented to persuade, not opinion.
Hurrah for critical thinking!
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