Student’s name;
Instructor’s name:
Course:
Date:
Chapter 1 reflection
The chapter commences with a conversation between Mr. William Buckley and the narrator. William is fascinated by science and is curious to get answers about scientific mysteries. His questions are, however, not answered as most are just mere beliefs without ay scientific evidence. The narrator expresses concern for the lack of scientific knowledge in the current generation and particularly young persons. He says that there is a need for scientific appreciation and knowledge for the benefits it has brought to humanity. Fields such as engineering and medicine are only possible because of science. Yet human beings are stuck with religious beliefs and superstitions. This is a point of concern and reason for grief for him. The more human beings remain stuck to these ideologies, the fewer achievements and inventions they will be able to accomplish. A case in point is the medieval Europe that preferred charms and miracles over science: the queen experienced seventeen miscarriages despite her power and wealth status. This is contrary to their Arab counterparts that were making great scientific strides.
Chapter two
As Albert Einstein puts it, “all our science, measured against reality, is childlike and primitive.” This appears to be the basis for the second chapter. That there is still so much left to discover, even with all the scientific progress that man has achieved. The narrator acknowledges that there is so much that man will stumble upon since the earth has existed for more than fifteen billion years. This is contrary to religion that believes all that has been written is all that there is. Notably, the author points out that science is built on error-correcting at its core. He says that science attempts to learn and unlearn things in pursuit of what is correct. Again, he attacks religion for being self-indulgent, uncritical, and built on hopes, which causes human beings to slide into superstitions.
Chapter 12
The chapter compares religious beliefs with scientific beliefs. It commences by narrating the story of Francis Bacon, who spent his childhood waiting for his dead parents to appear to him: that never happened. The chapter goes on to reveal that at least fifteen percent of Americans believe that they have made contact with their dead loved ones. However, the author is concerned that neither Alexander the great nor Lincoln has appeared to humankind to reveal their hidden tomb and assassinators, respectively. Yet, in science, one can, over time, see things happening that are not necessarily visible to the normal eye. Over thirty-five years, one can see the effects of climate change. Throughout the chapter, the author asks so many questions that religion purports to answer even though there is no real evidence. He goes on to say how cancer patients make pilgrimages hoping for a cure. Ultimately, the audience can read the skepticism that the author has formed about religion and consequent beliefs.
Chapter 14
This chapter is concerned with human belief on what constitutes the truth. The author quotes Theodore Schick Jr. and Lewis Vaughn, who state in their book New Age of beliefs that “there is no such thing as objective truth.” Indeed, objective reality does not exist, and reality is what one makes of themselves. As such, even science cannot be said to be objective reality. Different scientific answers have worked to solve similar problems. The chapter looks at how man has invested significant time into establishing truth; conducting witch hunts, interrogating scientists, denying others travel passports, etc. The author acknowledges that even science is based on repeated trials that might ultimately result in a tangible answer. Notably, the author says that some folk knowledge is invaluable. In this light, he acknowledges that science is not superior to other disciplines, including religion. Over history, many errors have been made; by Mao Zedong, by Nazi historians, by the USA, by the Catholic church, and even science. As such, there is no point in trying to compete, but rather accommodate differing views and opinions.