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Stephen Jay Gould: The True Independence Of Science And Religion

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The True Independence of Science and Religion Stephen Jay Gould author and creator of the concept “nonoverlapping magisteria” writes that science and religion are not in conflict with one another. In fact, his theory of nonoverlapping magisteria expresses the argument that, “No such conflict should exist because each subject has a legitimate magisterium, or domain of teaching authority—and these magisteria do not overlap…The net of science covers the empirical universe: what is it made of (fact) and why does it work this way (theory). The net of religion extends over questions of moral meaning and value. These two magisterial do not overlap, nor do they encompass all inquiry (Gould, 1). Gould’s philosophy of nonoverlapping magisteria not only opens a door for a totally cooperative independent relationship between religion and science, but also strengthens and helps prove …show more content…

He called science “descriptive” and religion “prescriptive” (Habgood, Religion and Science). Positivism as defined by Dictionary.com is “a philosophical system founded by Auguste Comte, concerned with positive facts and phenomena, and excluding speculation upon ultimate causes or origins” (“Positivism” Dictionary.com). Like Gould and the National Academy of Sciences the definition of Positivism also has the word “fact” within the description, which is what the principles of what science is based on. Dictionary.com defines prescriptive as “depending on or arising from effective legal prescription, as a right or title established by a long unchallenged tenure” (“Prescriptive” Dictionary.com). This definition is a little tougher to decipher; yet, still makes sense. The words “long unchallenged tenure” make sense when put with comparison to religion. Religion when looked at through the Independence theory cannot be challenge by science. It is a set of magisterial rules that only God or the Church has authority over

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