Book Review: The Way of Science

The Way of Science-Finding Truth and Meaning in a Scientific Worldview by Dennis Trumble discusses trying to find meaning in today’s world through science. He delves into a number of concepts such as human nature, society, and religion. He appears to fight for two concepts such as knowing science and knowing truth. 

The book spends some time exploring scientific thinking and how important it is for people to understand science in their everyday lives. If people understood science they wouldn’t be subject to half the beliefs that society and religion passes onto them. They would understand truth in a different way and would have a better grasp of the world around them. 

He is an advocate of critical thinking. To him people who think critically can see the science behind life and can weigh and balance the multiple concepts to come to a truth. Truth is seeing situations as they are without the falsities of culture, religion, and misguided beliefs. To the author, it appears that critical thinking and science wipes away layers of misunderstanding. 

Science also makes our lives better by allowing us to make better choices. If we try and understand our world around us we are much more likely to make better choices for ourselves as well as other people. Science affords us the opportunity to continually redefine our thinking to a better end. 

There is some benefit in the book in terms of understanding science. Rightly or wrongly, the author does seem to promote the culture of science which is often antagonistic to religion. He does bring forward the idea that life and meaning are subjective. However, he doesn’t see religion as part of the truth that we all experience; another way of understanding the world. 

It would seem that each is an expression of understanding. Science looks for analytical and logical conclusions while religion seems to provide us with spiritual guidance. They are part of our lives and understanding both may just give us that truth the author seems to have a part. The book is worth the read and brings up some interesting points to ponder even if you disagree with particular arguments. 

Other Reviews: 

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/books/the-way-of-science-finding-truth-and-meaning-in-a-scientific-worldview-by-dennis-r-trumble/2008468.article

http://www.prometheusbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2177

http://tulsabookreview.com/2013/10/the-way-of-science-finding-truth-and-meaning-in-a-scientific-worldview/

Albert Einstein Philosophy on Religion and Science

Albert Einstein was known for his ability to conceptualize concepts back to their beginning or root. He wasn’t a great mathematician or writer, but was excellent as an abstract thinker. Today he is seen as one of the top three most intelligent people in the world who changed the nature of science and became a model of intelligence. His ideas on religion and science is one that aligns with a number early philosophers. His beliefs were based in his deep study of religion in his childhood and scientific beliefs in later years.

Like Spinoza he believed in a God of all things but not necessarily a personalized God. His argument is that as society developed there was the God of Fear, The God of Providence, and finally a Cosmic Religion. The development of the Cosmic Religion is believed to be a sign of critical analysis because of the inherent scientific examination of God into cause and effect in the world. Morality then becomes more subjective.

The God of Fear was invented to help people formalize their vision and explain an unexplainable world. To them mystical powers, punishments from the heavens, and causes could only be attributed to a supreme ruler and mystical being.  The concept of God was a manifestation of fear of the world and those who had power in society. A priestly structure was developed that helped people talk to their God in much the same way people talked to their Kings. 

The God of Providence was a higher state in human development. It is the God that protects, provides, and gives life. Some argue that this God applies to only their own religion or their own culture. It is an individual God that helps society become more moral. This is often seen in the differences of mindset that is associated with the old world rules replaced by a more loving world. It is an advancement in the way people think in terms of their ability to treat each other for society’s sake. Naturally some are included and some excluded from this “saved” concept based upon their cultural differences. 

The cosmic God is unchained from specific religious points of view. There is no old man on a cloud throwing lightning bolts like Thor nor is there a specific God related to a particular sect, religion, culture or race. It is a God that applies to everyone in the way that Democritus, Francis of Assisi, and Spinoza saw it. Science and religion become wrapped into a more singular mindset. Each becomes a path to the truth with a God that is more universal and embedded into the nature of all human beings. 

Einstein’s conception of God is certainly interesting. He is right in the sense that the more we are aware of the cause and effect of life the more we are likely to remove images of little devils behind our kitchen cupboards or a God on a cloud. Yet like Einstein there are a great many things we must admit we don’t know. He felt that there were laws that needed to be followed and this is a sign of intelligent design. The cosmic religion is one of education, sympathy, and social ties. We cannot forget that each seed has within it the need to grow, develop, and reproduce without being a product of randomness. We can be sure there will be a continually search for truth among scientists and the spiritual class.