As William Lane Craig once pointed out in his classic debate with Dr. Peter Atkins, there are a number of things that cannot be scientifically proven, but that we are all rational to accept.
1. mathematics and logic
2. metaphysical truths (such as, there are minds that exist other than my own),
3. ethical judgments (you can't prove by science that the Nazis were evil, because morality is not subject to the scientific method),
4. aesthetic judgments (the beautiful, like the good, cannot be scientifically proven), and, ironically
5. science itself (the belief that the scientific method discovers truth can't be proven by the scientific method itself) [1]
To check out our responses to other common objections, go here
Courage and Godspeed,
Chad
Footnote:
1. A debate between William Lane Craig and Peter Atkins; as quote by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek in I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, p. 126-127.
1. mathematics and logic
2. metaphysical truths (such as, there are minds that exist other than my own),
3. ethical judgments (you can't prove by science that the Nazis were evil, because morality is not subject to the scientific method),
4. aesthetic judgments (the beautiful, like the good, cannot be scientifically proven), and, ironically
5. science itself (the belief that the scientific method discovers truth can't be proven by the scientific method itself) [1]
To check out our responses to other common objections, go here
Courage and Godspeed,
Chad
Footnote:
1. A debate between William Lane Craig and Peter Atkins; as quote by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek in I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, p. 126-127.
Comments
Logic (1)
Mathematics (1)
Metaphysics (2)
Moral Judgments (3)
Museum Judgments (4)
Method of Science (5)
Logic, mathematics, metaphysics, moral judgments and the judgment of beauty ("museum judgments") are important parts of everyday life, and ironically are important parts of the method of science as well. Science needs them to survive and thrive, even though they aren't scientifically verifiable. Even aesthetic judgments are important to scientists, since scientists use the concept of beauty to help them discover the laws that govern the universe.
Jim1