"Science and Religion"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that John Hedley Brooke, in his book "Science and Religion: Some Historical Perspectives", follows the evolution of scientific thought and learning, explaining the opposing religious reaction and the effects brought about by the increasing knowledge of provable scientific material upon the prevailing philosophy. The author points out that, although new scientific theories are met with intense opposition from the prevailing religious forces of the day, neither ever succeeds in displacing the other; rather frequently science is used to "prove" religious theory and religious precepts are used to give credence to the new scientific discoveries. The paper relates that Brooke draws a parallel between the reformatory nature of the scientific methodology and that of the Protestant Reformation, which can be seen as an endorsement of Copernican opposition to the suppression of thought exercised by the Roman Catholic establishment prior to the sixteenth century.

From the Paper:

"In 1543, Copernicus proposed his sun-centered theory of the cosmos which literally and figuratively turned the universe inside out, and set off an age that is unprecedented in its genius and its revolutionary ideas. The scientific revolution that ensued set the stage for the modern world-view and was met by opposition from the established religion, especially the Catholic Church, which dominated scientific exploration during the previous three centuries. The author argues that this was not so much separatism, but "an unprecedented fusion of science with theology, resulting in more secular forms of piety." (p. 53)"

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