Beliefs science and religion( mostly science) - Focused revision

Question 1

What is the definition of science ?

Answer 1

Science is a concept that aspires to be free from ‘beliefs’ and claims to be objective and value free

-Science is the pursuit of facts that are supported by empirical evidence, it believes in cause and effect relationships. It is interested in establishing laws of society known as ‘social facts’

Question 2

What is religion?

Answer 2

Religion are beliefs in a supernatural being and that events and conditions on earth are influenced by the supernatural.

Question 3

What is meant by an ideology?

Answer 3

A set of beliefs or principles supporting the interests of a social group

Question 4

When did religion emerge?

Answer 4

Pre modernity 17th century

-Pre-modernity was characterised by agriculture, religion and superstition.

Question 5

when did science emerge ?

Answer 5

Modernity 19t century where where rational principles and logic were applied to understanding. Modernity refers to the period of society from the enlightenment of the 17th Century to the middle of the 20th Century.

Question 6

What some theoretical explanations for the growth in science?

Answer 6

Weber- describes this process as disenchantment, the process whereby the magical and mystical elements of life are eroded as understandings of the world based on religion, faith, intuition, magic and superstition are displaced by rational argument and scientific explanation.

Bruce - Bruce (2008) argues that the growth of science was the greatest challenge to religion in this period. A growing concern with evidence based causes and effects of natural phenomena, rather than a search for meaning

• Popper- Popper’s approach to the scientific method that emerged at this time is to argue that a hypothesis must be seen as capable of being falsified (proved wrong) by empirical evidence

Question 7

Give an example of a religion.

Answer 7

• Islam
• Christianity
• judaism

Question 8

Give some examples of science.

Answer 8

• Darwin’s theory

-

Question 9

Why did science emerge

Answer 9

• • Science emerged as the process of enlightenment, where rational thought begun to challenge religion and, in some ways, undermined religion
  • Science has had a huge impact on people’s lives, through medicine, to more technology, the industrial revolution, making us much more productive and increasing living standards

Question 10

Why did religion emerge

Answer 10

• The earliest form of belief system, evidence of religion extends millions of years into our past. Durkheim (1904) studied totemism which he saw as the most basic form of religion.
• There are many functions of religion including: a source of comfort, bringing people together, offering answers to big questions in life and helping transmit key ideas in society.
• 84% of the world claim affiliation to a religion, so it is still highly influential

Question 11

How has globalisation affected science

Answer 11

• It has increase and developed science and contributed to a loss in faith of religion./ contributed to secularisation because religion is being proven wrong

Question 12

How has globalisation affected religion ?

Answer 12

• Increased the types of religion which has contributed to a pick and mix society. televangelism

Question 13

What are the key characteristics of a religious belief system ?

Answer 13

• Closed knowlegde system which means that basic beliefs within the religion are not changing over time
• • Empirical evidence is not necessary in order to have religious beliefs
• • Some religions claim a monopoly of the truth, that is, they claim to be able to answer questions in life.

Question 14

Give 2 examples of how religion is still influential today ?

Answer 14

• Causes conflict ie israel/palestine conflict, afghanisatn, syria
  • It can be misinterpreted to suit the political needs of particularly powerful groups ie terrorism

Question 15

Give some key characteristics of science as a belief system

Answer 15

• • It makes claims which are based upon empirical, observable evidence
• It is an Open Belief System (Popper 1959), meaning that scientific knowledge is true until it is falsified, when other knowledge will replace it
• Kuhn (1970) argues science operates in paradigms or particular frameworks until they are challenged and then shift or change.

Question 16

How does science challenge religion ?

Answer 16

• Darwin’s theory of evolution challenges creationist ideas that a supernatural force created the world and humans
• Galileo’s initial findings using his telescope revealed that the world was not the centre of the universe, challenged the beliefs of the Catholic Church. Galileo was banned from using his telescope and put into jail.

Question 17

Give 2 examples of how science is still influential today and is causing people to lose faith in religion

Answer 17

• Because of the new scientificic discoveries which have led to technological and medical davnces there has been a loss in the faith of religion. ie medical advances.

Question 18

Name some contemp examples and problems with science today

Answer 18

• Drug companies are motivated by profit, and cut corners, Marxists would argue that science simply furthers capitalist’s pursuit for profit
• Feminists criticise science as being malestream, heavily male dominated and therefore reflecting the views and interests of men. In fact, many women’s scientific achievements have been overlooked in history for example

Question 19

is science a social construct ?

Question 20

Which theory agrees that science is growing in importance ?

Answer 20

• Functionalism- merton agrees with Poppers view that science is growing because of:
  1. Communism which is where scientific knowledge is shared with the whole community instead of being kept private as it was previously

2. Universalism- This is where all scientists are regarded as equal and so it should be there work that is challenged not their social characteristics

3, Disintrestedness-

Question 21

Is religion a social construct ?

Answer 21

Yes- because sociologists believe that religion is a product of society and religion doesn’t have a fixed definition because different societies have different views on religion