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When Science Goes Wrong: The Desire and Search for Truth
The science/faith discussion is often hindered by a fundamental misunderstanding of the role and function of science. This misunderstand was made most evident, with tragic consequences, during the recent pandemic. The ways that science has gone wrong, and the underlying causes of how it goes wrong, will be illustrated here with a series of historical essays describing ideas about the universe, planet Earth, and the evolution of life that were all based on ideas that were reasonable…but ultimately wrong. Some are amusing in retrospect; others are tragic. Theology, philosophy, or even mathematics may lay claim to eternal truths, but in science our very cosmologies change. Just as the major religions have adapted in the face of changing cultural cosmologies, so too has science adapted in the face of challenging new observations and new ideas. Religions and science are strengthened by experiencing a shift in our assumptions; that’s where we find out what’s essential, and what is cultural baggage. Ultimately, the point of our science is not to come up with the “right answer.” Both as scientists and as human beings, we know that sometimes we learn the most by encountering ideas that challenge us. When we say, “I know that can’t be right; so, where did it go wrong?” we gain a greater insight into what we do believe, and what it really means.
168 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2023
13 people want to read
About the author
Guy Consolmagno
32 books45 followersAmerican research astronomer and planetary scientist at the Vatican Observatory.
B.A. and M.A. at MIT, Ph.D. at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, all in planetary science. After postdoctoral research and teaching at Harvard College Observatory and MIT, in 1983 he joined the US Peace Corps to serve in Kenya for two years, teaching astronomy and physics. After his return he took a position as Assistant Professor at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.
In 1989 he entered the Society of Jesus, and took vows as a brother in 1991. On entry into the order, he was assigned as an astronomer to the Vatican Observatory, where he also serves as curator of the Vatican Meteorite collection, positions he has held since then. In addition to his continuing professional work in planetary science, he has also studied philosophy and theology. (source: Wikipedia)
B.A. and M.A. at MIT, Ph.D. at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, all in planetary science. After postdoctoral research and teaching at Harvard College Observatory and MIT, in 1983 he joined the US Peace Corps to serve in Kenya for two years, teaching astronomy and physics. After his return he took a position as Assistant Professor at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.
In 1989 he entered the Society of Jesus, and took vows as a brother in 1991. On entry into the order, he was assigned as an astronomer to the Vatican Observatory, where he also serves as curator of the Vatican Meteorite collection, positions he has held since then. In addition to his continuing professional work in planetary science, he has also studied philosophy and theology. (source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 9, 2024
Science doesn't always get it right; and as the authors point out, it shouldn't always get it right. If it did then it would never progress.
I assumed from the title that this was about science being abused. In fact it's better than that. It's about the times science has almost got it right, or made reasonable assumptions based on what was known at the time, but which were in fact incorrect. But that has never invalidated the science; it has provided the necessary stepping stones for science to proceed. As the authors say, you wouldn't study biology today with your grandfather's biology textbook, but that doesn't mean biology back then was wrong.
The authors are both Christians, and they are also astronomers, so that is where the bulk of the telling comes from - the age-old stories of Galileo and Copernicus and Brahe, none of which are quite as clear-cut as popular mythology would have it in their clashes with religion. In the end you get a very reasonable defence of how science and religion can balance each other out, respecting each other's strengths and not laying claim to areas that are beyond them.
I assumed from the title that this was about science being abused. In fact it's better than that. It's about the times science has almost got it right, or made reasonable assumptions based on what was known at the time, but which were in fact incorrect. But that has never invalidated the science; it has provided the necessary stepping stones for science to proceed. As the authors say, you wouldn't study biology today with your grandfather's biology textbook, but that doesn't mean biology back then was wrong.
The authors are both Christians, and they are also astronomers, so that is where the bulk of the telling comes from - the age-old stories of Galileo and Copernicus and Brahe, none of which are quite as clear-cut as popular mythology would have it in their clashes with religion. In the end you get a very reasonable defence of how science and religion can balance each other out, respecting each other's strengths and not laying claim to areas that are beyond them.
April 13, 2024
A really easy and thought provoking read.
The authors go through a variety of errors in scientific progress, primarily in Astronomy, but differentiate it from some of the contemporary luddite attitudes.
I was perhaps surprised that the book didn't cover the cases of Semmelweis or Lysenkoism, but there are perhaps too many cases to be counted that COULD be included in such a book. The authors have left it short and sweet, possible for any reader to pick up.
The authors go through a variety of errors in scientific progress, primarily in Astronomy, but differentiate it from some of the contemporary luddite attitudes.
I was perhaps surprised that the book didn't cover the cases of Semmelweis or Lysenkoism, but there are perhaps too many cases to be counted that COULD be included in such a book. The authors have left it short and sweet, possible for any reader to pick up.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews