SPIRITUALITY AND SCIENCE
Ben H. Swett
(email dialogue)
1997
1 May 1997
Re: A Question
Hello Malik,
You wrote:
>How can one compare spirituality with science as a way of seeing
the world? I guess that I am kind of confused between spirituality and modern
science.
Spirituality and science may be compared in terms of subject matter and
methodology.
Spirituality is a way of seeing the world (world-view) that includes more
than material subject matter. Science is a way of searching for truth and
testing what we think we know (methodology). Thus, it is possible to apply
scientific methods to spiritual subjects.
However:
Spirituality is limited by religionism, which dogmatically insists on blind
faith in untestable assertions and refuses to apply scientific methods.
Modern science is limited by materialism, which is a way of seeing the world
(world-view) that dogmatically excludes consideration of spiritual subjects.
In summary:
Spirituality is a vast subject area that needs more scientific methodology.
Religionism includes the subject, but excludes the methodology. Modern materialistic
science includes the methodology, but excludes the subject.
And there you have it.
Ben
PS.: For my approach to this situation, see "Foreword"
on my website.
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