Faith and Science

Albert Einstein in his essay ‘What I Believe’ writes, ‘To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms – this knowledge, this feeling, is at the centre of true religiousness. In this sense, and in this sense only, I belong in the ranks of devoutly religious men.’

In a life devoted to unravelling the mysteries of the universe, one of the greatest thinkers of all time had the humility to accept what he did not know. He felt that an insight into the mystery of life is where evidence-based science segues seamlessly into religion based on faith.

Does that suggest that science and religion share a certain epistemological standing? Indeed, many humanists and theologians insist that there are multiple ways of knowing, and that religious narratives exist alongside scientific ones.

This equivalence might lead to a relativist conclusion – you have your faith; I have mine.

The goal of both science and religion is (or should be) to find reliable and sustainable ways to make human beings happier, more loving, more humble, less fearful, and genuinely enraptured by the fact of our appearance in the cosmos.