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Summary Of The Convergence Of Science And Religion

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In The Convergence of Science and Religion, Dr. Charles Townes asserts that as the success of scientific discoveries increases, so do the conflicts between religion and science. Dr. Townes, who opposes the common widely held belief that science and religion significantly vary in their natures, claims that in making this decision an individual will approach the matter in a predictable way. Some individuals he proclaims view the two as separate in nature and as such he claims that individuals will separate the two by their intents and their methodologies so that neither can discredit the other (Townes, 1966). In much of the same manner, he asserts that others will be drawn closer to one viewpoint, be it science or religion, and ultimately regard the other with little value or in some instances “potentially harmful” (Townes, 1966). Lastly, as Dr. Townes does, a distinct sect of individuals may be of the opinion that the two belief systems are universal and in many ways rely on many of the same …show more content…

Townes’s argument clearly outlines supportive evidence which would lead to the conclusion that science and religion do not necessarily contradict one another entirely. The assertion that science and religion converge due to each pursuing an ultimate understanding of certain like mannered principles appears to be true based on the manner in which Townes presents his case. However, the claim that both require an element of faith appears to be somewhat of a lesser defensible assertion. Critics of Dr. Townes hypothesis, such as Dr. Victor Stenger, clarify that science makes no assumptions on faith and rather “analyzes observations by applying certain methodological rules” to describe these observations discounts Dr. Townes’s assertion that religion diverges with science based on this element (Stenger, 2013). Dr. Townes’s hypothesis, while yielding support that Science and Religion share some common similarities, appears to be easily discredited by those opposing his

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