The Religious Scientist

The title might seem self-defeating to most of you, but I would argue that all scientists are religious. Not in a sense that all scientists prescribe to a formal religion, but that all of them have an underlying belief regarding the world we live in. This in turn will affect how they interpret their scientific findings.

Lets get this straight, science is not as "objective" as it may seem. Its entirety is based on the assumption that there are regularities in this physical world, and that it is constant and predictable. Scientific knowledge is the understanding and explanation of these regularities. Now both theists and atheists (self proclaimed non religious people) might agree regarding this. The question regarding the explanation of this basic assumption of our whole scientific world, is what splits us into two. The theist scientist would go one step further and claim that these regularities point to a creative agent called God. On the same note, the atheist scientist would take a leap of faith on the other direction and say that, it just is, God is not necessary for the world to have constant operating laws. It just is, to which the theist scientist will reply, God just is. Both are assuming something that they cannot prove with science. Science tells us the facts, not why those facts are the way they are. You would have to conclude a God, whether it be a being, or science.

Therefore, I suggest a firm humility to be adopted by the atheist scientist, as they are truly adherents of the religion called scientism. On the same note, let there be a meek confidence by the theist scientist, as in reality, everyone is in this sense, religious. Take for example, the famous debate between the dualist Sir John Eccles, and the monist John Searle (it is on Youtube). Both Johns argue their case passionately from science, yet harbor at the existence (or non existence) of God and how that influences their interpretation of the same science. Therefore, let us be crystal clear regarding this. Science tells us facts about the physical world. To ask why that is, is to knock on the door of the philosophy of science, which is a whole different ballgame compared to science. Science is a neutral vehicle, driven by your assumed philosophy of science, namely, your religion.