Science Is An Open Belief System: Merton And Cudos

Question 1

Merton

Answer 1

Stating that science is a superior belief system and that’s why it continues to thrive, whereas religion is losing followers, point out that science has brought about a no. Of benefits in economics, health care and military

Question 2

Communism

Answer 2

Scientific knowledge is there to benefit everyone, shared their research with the global community, which has helped with improving medical care and technology vs religion where it benefits it’s own followers, ostracising the majority of people

Question 3

Universalism

Answer 3

Meaning that scientific research is judged based on a universal and objective criteria, scientists work with others across the globe and share their findings and is judged on the quality and merit of research vs the characteristics of the scientists themselves

Vs religion where people can be regarded as having a superior status based on sex, wealth and skin colour

Question 4

Disinterestedness

Answer 4

Scientists seek to uncover knowledge just for the sake of understanding how the world works, they do not do it to further their career or status + because their work is subjected to so much scrutiny to lie

Vs religion where leaders can make claims about god or faith to benefit themselves

Question 5

Organised scepticism

Answer 5

Means that all knowledge is open to rigorous testing and possible flaseficatiom, scientists are always aware that any theories could be disapproved and accept this
Vs religion which does not accept criticism and claims to possess the absolute truth about how the world works with no scope for change