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From: "Santosh Helekar" <[email protected]>
The subject line of this thread is factually wrong. Science has already
explained life as a natural phenomenon.
**Nothing is wrong. You are wrong in your interpretation. I am referring to
the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI who refers to the mystery of human
existence ("life" here is human existence): "Science cannot explain human
life or existence". Science cannot alone explain the mystery of human
existence.
<<What science does not pretend or care to explain is the so-called meaning
of life, or what life means to different types of people from a purely
subjective standpoint.
**When Science pretends to be the only solution to the riddle of human
existence, it also pretends to explain the ":meaning of life" (not "the
so-called meaning of life") of the rational human being. Man cannot survive
without the meaning of his existence. This is witnessed by human history. It
is religion (together with philosophy, which was preceded by mythology) that
provides the meaning of human existence.
<<The so-called meaning of life varies based on the particular kinds of
supernatural and superstitious beliefs that people hold. It also varies
based on a person's station or circumstances in the natural world,
irrespective of what supernatural world he/she claims to inhabit.
**Meaning of life does not limit only to supernatural beliefs
("supernatural" does not mean "superstitious"). It is up to the rational
human being to choose the correct explanation.
<<Science has nothing to do with the contents of this supernatural realm.
The more than a thousand or so different theistic and atheistic religions of
the world have a mind-numbing diversity of mutually contradictory
supernatural and superstitious beliefs, each claiming to possess ultimate
knowledge of the true meaning of life.
**Right. Science is limited to the phenomenal explanation. But Science is
not the only guide for the human beings. Human reason is not enlightened
only by empirical science. Benedict XVI is not speaking only of Science.
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind"
(Albert Einstein)
Regards.
Fr.Ivo
Albert Einstein is clear on this point:
"Does there truly exist an insuperable contradiction between religion and
science? Can religion be superseded by science? The answers to these
questions have, for centuries, given rise to considerable dispute and,
indeed, bitter fighting. Yet, in my own mind there can be no doubt that in
both cases a dispassionate consideration can only lead to a negative answer.
What complicates the solution, however, is the fact that while most people
readily agree on what is meant by "science," they are likely to differ on
the meaning of "religion."
As to science, we may well define it for our purpose as "methodical thinking
directed toward finding regulative connections between our sensual
experiences." Science, in the immediate, produces knowledge and, indirectly,
means of action. It leads to methodical action if definite goals are set up
in advance. For the function of setting up goals and passing statements of
value transcends its domain. While it is true that science, to the extent of
its grasp of causative connections, may reach important conclusions as to
the compatibility and incompatibility of goals and evaluations, the
independent and fundamental definitions regarding goals and values remain
beyond science's reach.
As regards religion, on the other hand, one is generally agreed that it
deals with goals and evaluations and, in general, with the emotional
foundation of human thinking and acting, as far as these are not
predetermined by the inalterable hereditary disposition of the human
species. Religion is concerned with man's attitude toward nature at large,
with the establishing of ideals for the individual and communal life, and
with mutual human relationship. These ideals religion attempts to attain by
exerting an educational influence on tradition and through the development
and promulgation of certain easily accessible thoughts and narratives (epics
and myths) which are apt to influence evaluation and action along the lines
of the accepted ideals".
(http://www.sacred-texts.com/aor/einstein/einsci.htm)
(Guardian.co.uk)
--- On Sat, 9/18/10, Ivo <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Goanetters,
Benedict XVI explains why Science cannot explain meaning of
life.
"The Pope told an audience of religious leaders from
different faiths that the human and natural sciences provide us with an
''invaluable understanding'' of aspects of our existence.
>> But he said the disciplines cannot satisfy the
''fundamental'' question about why we exist.
"They cannot satisfy the deepest longings of the human
heart, they cannot fully explain to us our origin and our destiny, why
and for
what purpose we >> exist, nor indeed can they provide us with an
exhaustive
answer to the question 'Why is there something rather than nothing?',
Benedict XVI told his audience at St Mary's University College in
Twickenham,
south west London.
