Science: Friend or Foe?

Like it or not, science marches onward. It takes no prisoners along the way, moving towards nowhere in particular-its only purpose being the satisfaction of mankind’s curiosities. Scientists have been systematically solving some of man’s oldest mysteries for thousands of years. The technology flowing from their solutions has allowed humans to move from caves and to walk on the moon. Most people think of science as a friend because it finds cures for disease and improves the quality of their lives. Others fear science because it sometimes solves man’s “glorious mysteries.” You know, the mysteries humans are not supposed to answer because that might make us less religious and, thus, less moral.

For example, the reason given most often by those opposed to teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution in public schools is that it weakens school children’s religious beliefs, making them less moral because, the critics believe, morality flows from religious beliefs. However, most biologists have known for decades that altruistic and other moral behaviors evolved in other animals long before humans appeared. Instinctive human moral behaviors were inherited from the same ancestor species as chimpanzees and bonobo apes, occurring long before humans acquired advanced abilities to think or speak. Numerous cases documenting the exhibition of moral behaviors by chimps and other primates cannot be rationally disputed. Humans expanded their moral behaviors when they evolved psychological needs.

Psychological needs are satisfied only through human relationships that depend on mutual respect. Mutual respect, of course, is built on moral behavior. Evidence clearly shows that human morality was well established long before the advent of religious practices, which proves one can be as moral or immoral as anyone else, whether he or she practices religion or not.

Recent revelations of immoral behavior by some of our most trusted religious leaders, celebrities, and politicians—people who wear their religion on their sleeves—need not be repeated here, do they?

Read my book, Settled Science, to learn how modern science is tackling some of the greatest mysteries of all time:

• How the Universe formed
• How life began
• How we got here

Then, decide for yourself whether science is your friend or your foe.