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Making sense of our existence: the scientific and religious worldview

Salman Ahmed Shaikh (Department of Management Sciences,Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology,Karachi, Pakistan)

International Journal of Ethics and Systems

ISSN: 2514-9369

Article publication date: 8 October 2018

Issue publication date: 5 November 2018

381

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the position of science and faith on questions of meaning in existence.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the literature to enhance mutual understanding of original views of both science and religion camps on existential questions.

Findings

Science is dedicated to identifying natural cause and effect relationships. This paper shows that faith does not frustrate that purpose. Science should be universal and its established knowledge through evidence should benefit all mankind and should be developed by people from diverse backgrounds. On the other hand, no religious text is a pure science book and no religion claims as such. Nonetheless, understanding and explaining the deeper meaning of life is beyond the domain of science. Science cannot be an arbiter in philosophical, moral, social and political matters.

Originality/value

This paper clarifies the epistemological boundaries of science and religion on existential questions. It makes a case for mutual co-existence of both empirical knowledge and values in the future of society, as co-existence of both empirical knowledge and values is necessary in a healthy, progressive and spiritual society.

Keywords

Citation

Shaikh, S.A. (2018), "Making sense of our existence: the scientific and religious worldview", International Journal of Ethics and Systems, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 593-607. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-08-2018-0116

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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