What demarcates Science with Philosophy and Religion?

Question

My experience says that both Religion and Philosophy is whatever Science can’t explain. Scientists come out with theories to explain what we term as Religion & Philosophy. If they are able to explain it, it becomes Science; if not, it continues to be Philosophy or Religion. Does it not mean that Religion itself is nothing but Science? Or, if finally Science is able to explain everything one day, there will be no Religion?

Answer 1

Philosophy is best described by analyzing the word's etymological origins. Broken down this way, Philosophy is defined as the love of knowledge. Because there are many types of knowledge, there are many branches of philosophy, with examples being philosophy of religion, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology (the philosophy of knowledge itself).

Philosophy differentiates from science because it can be a purely mental activity that does not rely on empirical evidence. This is colloquially known as "Armchair Philosophy." Science (good science at least) relies on the scientific method in which a hypothesis is formed, a reproducible experiment to test that hypothesis is performed, and conclusions are drawn from the results of the experiment. In my opinion, the scientific method has been very beneficial to humanity because it allows the results of controlled experiments to "speak for themselves," free of any intellectual agendas.

While philosophy and science center around reason and intellect, Religion places a lot of value on faith. To have religious faith often means deciding things are simply beyond the scope of human reason, and you accept them to be so simply because of some ineffable impulse (providence?) In contrast to the descriptive way the scientific method works (observations lead to theories describing scientific principles) Religion is generally prescriptive, which is to say it decides on a complete worldview in advance and filters out the observations that do not support it.

Answer 2

it all has to do with the appearance/reality distinction.

if you don't accept any difference between appearance and reality, then you are not philosophical, religious, OR scientific -- there are, for you, no real questions to be answered, because everything IS just as it APPEARS

BUT, if you do accept the appearance/reality distinction there are two ways you can go:

1. the reality behind the appearance is a physical thing that directly causes the appearance. For example, photons of certain wavelengths directly cause the appearance of red colour.

2. the reality behind the appearance is a metaphysical thing that the appearance vaguely models. For example a true, eternal, spiritual world to which this world stands as a dreamlike image.

Scientists prefer the first version. It doesn't matter for them whether it turns out to be photons, or strings, or even something deeper that causes red appearance, as long as its a physcial thing.

Spiritual people the second. For some, this whole world is an illusion, for others it's just a transient creation from God's own imagination. Whichever way you look at it, the real goal is some OTHER world.

Philosophy has an uneasy position between. There have been philosophers, like Plato, who are more spiritual. Others, like Aristotle, are more scientific. That's because philosophers disagree about the appearance/reality distinction. (Some philosophers even denied THAT: Protagoras, Nietzsche.)

Answer 3

Science in the broadest sense refers to any knowledge or trained skill, especially (but not exclusively) when this is attained by verifiable means.[1] The word science also describes any systematic field of study or the knowledge gained from such study. In a more restricted sense, science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on empiricism, experimentation, and methodological naturalism, as well as to the organized body of knowledge humans have gained by such research. This article focuses on science in the latter sense.

Scientists maintain that scientific investigation must adhere to the scientific method, a process for evaluating empirical knowledge which explains observable events in nature as a result of natural causes, rejecting supernatural notions.

Fields of science are commonly classified along two major lines:

* Natural sciences, the study of natural phenomena;
* Social sciences, the systematic study of human behavior and society.

The demarcation between science and religion is that religion relies on faith and supernatural agents such as God. The demarcation between philosophy and science is more difficult to define. However, science tends to be empirically falsiable while philosophy is more based on argument.

Answer 4

You will not be satistifed with any type of answer because of the nature of question itself. However, I agree with you that one day if everything is explained then there will be no philosophy left. But then, if everything is explained then this world would not be an interesting place to live, would it?

Answer 5

The basis of science are testable theories. If a theory cannot be proven to be wrong, than it remains within the realm of philosophy, or religion, as the case may be.

Answer 6

Science (psychology) explains religion as universal obsession..
Religion is needed for mental well being of people says medical science.Philosophy is universal eternal truth that can only be pursued and not understood.