"Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who sets the planets in motion." ― Isaac Newton
The conflicts between religion and science are evident in the distinguished objectives of both disciplines, where religion aims to explain both natural and supernatural occurrences, science only concerns itself with natural events (Cruz,2017). One of the most well-known conflicts between religion and science is the debate regarding the beginnings of the earth, where scientists believe in the evolution and big bang theories, while religion provides the theory of god’s creation (Draper,1902). Although both disciplines have their loyal supporters, either side is capable of proving the opposing side as invalidating. Like Newton’s quote, science can only ‘explain the motion of the planets’ to a certain extent. All questions beyond science capabilities can only be explained by theories involving divinities, which science lacks the abilities to prove or disapprove.
The value of religion is established in the sense of relief it provides to its believers. During the medieval ages, people believed that sickness or plague could be sent by God as punishment for not observing the ‘ceremonies and commandments’ set by god (D’Agramont, 1949). Thus people at the time tend to gather in communities and perform prayers hoping to gain forgiveness from god. At the same time, it can also be argued that religion can be used as a way of getting through tough situations, as it helps creates a new narrative, allows the believer to imagine a joyful future, and prevent the believer to enter a mental state of permanent fear and sadness (Meza, 2020).
The value of science lies within its ability to analyze the situation. The concept of science is evident in the medieval periods through the procedures of medical arts. The typical steps within the scientific method consist of making an observation, present a question, form a hypothesis, predicting the hypothesis, and test the prediction. Although testing the prediction might be hard to achieve in medieval times due to their lack of scientific equipment, the ‘Regiment de preserv acio a epidemic o pestilencia e mortaldats’ demonstrates other components of the scientific method. An observation of people getting sick was made leading to questions on the reasons behind the sickness. A hypothesis that changes in the ‘air’ is the cause behind people’s sickness was presented. The hypothesis is further developed by identifying the causes of the changes in the air, such as god’s punishment for human sins. This is supported by chapter 28 within the holy scripture. The prediction is evident through the passage ‘ if the corruption and putrefaction of the air have come because of our sins the remedies of medical art are of little value, for only He who blinds can unblind’ (D’Agramont, 1949), suggesting if the sickness is caused by supernatural powers then it can be only undone by supernatural powers. Hence the people back then would refer back to prayers as their solution to a plague. Although both religion and medical arts reach the same conclusion in encountering plagues sent by God in the medieval ages, the value of medical arts and components of the scientific method lies in its logical thinking process towards creating a solution to the issue at hand.
Thus although religion and science tend to sit on the opposite side regarding issues such as the creation of the world, both disciplines co-exist and provide different beneficial values to the societies.
Reference list
Cruz. H.C (2017), “Religion and Science”, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/religion-science/#WhatScieWhatReli
D’Agramont. J (1949) “Regiment de preserv acio a epidimia o pestilencia e mortaldats”,Translated by Duran – Reynals . M. L and Winslow. C.-E., A Bulletin of the History of Medicine, JANUARY-FEBRUARY, Vol. 23, No. 1 (JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1949), pp. 57-89 https://www.jstor.org/stable/44443424
Draper, J. W. (1902). “Appleton dollar library. History of the conflict between religion and science”. D Appleton & Company. https://doi.org/10.1037/12369-000
Meza, D (2020) “In a Pandemic Are We More Religious? Traditional Practices of Catholics and the COVID – 19 Southwestern Colombia”, International Journal of Latin American Religions 4, 218 – 234, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41603-020-00108-0