Science and Religion

Question 1

What is an argument?

Answer 1

An argument is an opinion backed up by evidence and justification

Question 2

What are the two parts required to justify an argument?

Answer 2

premises and a conclusion

Question 3

What is the definition of an argument?

Answer 3

A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action or theory

Question 4

What is the structure of a deductive argument?

Answer 4

2 or more premises and a conclusion

Question 5

What is validity?

Answer 5

When the premises lead neccesarily to the conclusion

Question 6

What is soundness?

Answer 6

When an argument is valid and the premises are true

Question 7

When was the last time a sound argument was made (to the nearest 10 years)

Answer 7

Never

Question 8

What is a conclusive argument?

Answer 8

An argument that is not sound, but the truth of the premises would never be doubted e.g. 2+2=4

Question 9

Why are sound arguments so hard to make

Answer 9

Because most of the time there are language problems

Question 10

What is an inductive argument?

Answer 10

When the past is used to predict the future or a subset is used to predict a whole group. Inductive arguments have 1 premise

Question 11

How useful is inductive reasoning?

Answer 11

Very useful- without it we would be probably too scared to take a step

Question 12

What are the:

Key characteristics of Inductive arguments?

Answer 12

• Reasonable conclusion
• Inductive
• Not neccesarily true

Question 13

What is:

Proof that the Earth is expanding?

Answer 13

• When an object is tinted red, it is moving away and when it is tinted, blue, it is moving towards
• Edward Hubble employed 50 women to observe the planets, who all found out that all observable planets are moving away from humans

Question 14

What is the definition of:

Myth

(All definitions according to google dictionary)

Answer 14

A traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

Question 15

What is the:

Theory of evolution

Answer 15

1. Some animals in a species have random mutations
2. These can be advantageous or disadvantageous
3. If they are advantageous, can out compete and then reproduce to pass on the genes

Question 16

What is:

The Big Bang theory

Answer 16

• Explosion from a single singularity
• Universe expands ever since

Question 17

Why can:

The Bible be useful?

Answer 17

The Bible can be useful when it is demythologised

Question 18

How can the:

Bible be criticised?

Answer 18

Genesis 1 and 2 contradict each other

Question 19

What are the different types of:

Christianity

(In terms of interpretation)

Answer 19

• Fundementalist
• Conservative
• Liberals

Question 20

What is the view of:

Fundementalists

Answer 20

• The Bible contains the Word of God as dictated directly to men.
• It contains no mistakes and must be obeyed to the letter.
• The bible must be understood literally (word for word).
• All parts have equal authority

Question 21

What is the view of:

Liberals

Answer 21

The bible contains the Word of God as people (who make mistakes) have tried to impersonate it. Some of it must be taken with a “pinch of salt, because it reflects the attidtude of the writer nad not God’s message. There are many historical inaccuracies; however, the Bible can be trusted to broadly express what God intended”

Question 22

What is the view of:

Conservaties

Answer 22

The Bible contains the Word of God as revealed to and interpreted by inspired people.
Some of the writing may be unclear or symbolic, but non of it is not “true”.
We must bear in mind the prejudices of the writers and the times in which they wrote. Some parts e/g/ life and teachings of Christ have more authority than others

Question 23

What is the view of:

Seculars

Answer 23

The Bible is not the Word of God, but it contains much wisdom and valuable teaching. Stories about miracles and divine acts should not be taken at face value, but as poetic representations of truths discovered by humans.

Question 24

What is the view of:

Posmodern

Answer 24

There is no absolute truth in the Bible, and therefore no single meaning to be discovered in it. Rather the meaning and the truth is created by the reader, and depends on the beliefs and experiences they hold when they read it.

Question 25

Is conservative closer to Fundementalist or Liberal?

Answer 25

Fundementalist

Question 26

What is the main difference between Genesis 1 and 2

Answer 26

Genesis 1 has all the animals made first, whereas in genesis 2 man was made first