Scientific Responses
The question "Are Parts of Human Experience Beyond Scientific Understanding?" provoked interesting and diverse responses from CTT participants. Below is a selection from the opinions that visitors to this web site have sent us. If you want to add your own, click on Send Us Your Thoughts.
All things can be understood by science -- God is the top scientist.
Kenneth, August 12, 2003
I don't think that parts of human experience are beyond scientific understanding. The only way that science can be hindered from finding the answers to the most elusive questions involving human experience is if it were to fail to evolve or adapt ,which modern science seems to be doing. That is the difference between religion and science.Scientists will admit they are wrong because they are genuinely intrigued by the truth and so they seek it out passionately. Religion on the other hand is rigid and seeks to control through false information.
Sebastian, July 18, 2003
Most human and animal experiences can be explained by scientific understanding. Further advancements in our understanding of human chemistry and genetics will eventually close the gap.
Brad, June 4, 2000
Science has allowed us to expand our mind and our world. It has helped us better understand and comprehend the world around us. Scientific Discoveries are used to benefit us, and improve our lives here on earth. But inside all of us is the question of what there lies beyond this earth. This equates in a need to believe that there is something better beyond this life and gives us hope to live day by day, that there is something better waiting for us. For it is human nature, and ultimately animal instinct, to fear what we do not understand. That is why death remains such a mystery and brings us so many sleepless nights, and horrid dreams. Because as much as we try to comprehend the world around us there may be things that we cannot and should not be able to understand. Because once we know all there is to know we will no longer be able to continue to question the world around us, making life meaningless.
Jessiquita, May 25, 2003
Religion explains the phenomena of life and creation in a way that we now know are simply not true. That is all there is to it.
Amos Baker, May 16, 2003
The operative word here is "Belief" and the controlling irony is that regardless of beliefs, the underlying reality is never effected. Every person on the planet may believe something but reality is never altered. The tragedy of nearly all belief systems and human thoughts is that they are anthropocentric and self serving. Since all tenants in science are continually up for review, there is no place for belief, which makes many of our species very nervous.
M. Bruce Grosjean. May 15, 2003
I believe that all or most all of human experiences will become scientifically understandable once we have unlocked the secrets of the brain. That will hopefully erase our fear driven beliefs in deities which have obstructed our progress since we attained consciousness...
Almpez, May 07,2003
Any conscious and intelligent being can and will find a satisfactory answer to any questions even where he/she does not yet have enough information to find a meaningful answer. Simply ask a five year-old child any deep philosophical question, most of them will respond with some kind of answer if they can understand the question. Whether the answer is true or useful really doesn't matter. Any answer is satisfactory as long as our brains feel it's right which is rather easy. Although truth can withstand infinite tests while superficial answers will wither away, normally we don't have the infinite time that is needed to test the truth. The only way out of such a loop are answers that you simply have to accept as faith. But why should you accept the faith?
Bingxie Zhang, April 22, 2003
I feel quite certain that "God" in whatever human culture, is a box reserved for the unknown as a force; an attempt to explain the source of that which happens without evidence as to how it happens. And it appears to be genetic, hard-wired into each of us to a degree commensurate with any other genetic mental phenomenon. I opine that it is a relic from a need by early hominids to explain the vast spectrum of the unknown.
Carl Bauer, April 21, 2003
Like Dr. Michael Shermer, I seemed to have been born without the "faith" gene. The concept of a god ( or force) which is concerned with the details of my life and with which there is two way communication ( prayer) has never made any sense. My question - since people like Dr. Shermer and me seem to be in the very small minority of people living today, could there actually be a genetic, biochemical explanation for faith or lack of it?
Joyce Zohar, April 20, 2003
Speaking strictly of life in this world, I believe we have a scientific handle on most of the mechanical aspects of our living form. But obviously there's more to it. What are the natures of self, soul, intellect, love? They are very real and therefore must exist. Because they exist, I believe they can be understood scientifically at some point in the future. Maybe then, we can ask the next question: "Is existence beyond this world beyond scientific understanding?"
Laurence Soderblom, March 18, 2003
The history of science has been to observe and find plausible explanations for more and more of what humans experience. I see no reason to think that religious experience will prove any different than other realms of human experience. It may be, at least for a long time, beyond the ability of science to explain the subjective feelings an individual may have. However, the ability of pharmacological agents to induce reproducible states of consciousness leads me to think that even subjective feeling may well yield to scientific observation and explanation.
Lloyd Morrisett, March 18, 2003
