Science cannot answer questions such as, “What should we do with science?”

Science is a tool. We use it to achieve our goals. If we decide we want to maximize liberty, or happiness, or some such, science could help. Scientific research might suggest steps that could be taken in service of some larger purpose, which steps would be goals in themselves. Aside from cases like this, I don’t see how science can help us decide which goals are best.

In short, science cannot pick the best values.

Posted: December 17th 2008

See all questions answered by George Locke

I also think that scientific methods can potentially explain the physical universe, however far off that is.

An important point I try to make is: that one has to learn to live with our incomplete knowledge as it is, because where we don’t know something, there’s a good reason why we don’t know. Limitations of our senses and intelligence, our short lifespans, the immensity of time and space; these slow the whole process down, and no, that’s not “making excuses”.

We have, as humans, generated all these metaphysical questions for ourselves, such as “why?, and tell ourselves that these questions are important, and we must have answers. Really? Who says so? “Religious authorities” say so, for their own reasons, and they proceed to provide you with made-up “answers” to those questions; the questions they told you to ask and told you how to ask. When we actually go and look at what’s out there, as objectively as we can, we see no evidence of reason or design involved. Harsh but true, so what do you do about it? Turn away from the universe to man-made delusion, as so many do? Or do you keep looking?

Posted: December 13th 2008

See all questions answered by brian thomson

It might require infinite time and resources, but I think so. Certainly science has not yet explained everything, but I can’t think of any area where it’s not trying.

Posted: December 12th 2008

See all questions answered by SmartLX

I can’t imagine a time when science will have explained everything. Science is not only a collection of tools and a body of information, but it is a quest for more information not in the sense that explanations are completely given, but rather in deepening our understanding of reality.

If furthering our grasp of reality is the focus, then science supplies the required foundational basis for such an continuing process.

Though scientific findings do enrich our mundane, routine lives, often in not consciously realized ways, the scientific quest does not mean that we abandon the many pleasures of daily life and see everything through a micro/telescope, don lab coats, and never leave the laboratory.

Scientific advances have allowed us to have the time to muse, create for the sheer delight of it via many non-scientific avenues like poetry and literature, and to enjoy building precious relationships with friends, family, and our communities.

Posted: December 12th 2008

See all questions answered by logicel