Thread: "Science is a differential equation. Religion is a boundary condition"

Science explains the world as we observe it i.e., (natural phenomena). Religion explains that of which Science cannot observe (i.e., supernatural phenomena). In short, where Science ends, Religion begins.

Basically, God of the Gaps.

If we cannot observe a particular phenomena then how can we be certain of its existence? If something is beyond our experience how can we know it exists since we cannot experience it? Faith is not an adequate justification for me.

Lol @ Ne-Yo having no idea what he's talking about and saying nothing of relevance.

In fact all of you guys, what are you jabbering about? Not the question.

Anyway, I can't totally work out what he meant by that. Was there any context? I would understand better if he said 'physics is like a differential equation whilst God is a boundary condition'. A differential equation specifies how things evolve and react over time given an initial situation (so, the laws of physics), whereas boundary conditions specify the initial situation (so, creation).

My "jabbering" was a response to Ne-yo.

Ah okay, apologies.

Originally Posted by stormcrow

My "jabbering" was a response to Ne-yo.

As was mine.

What do you want, a cookie?

Well to be honest, I wouldn't mind having a cookie.

Originally Posted by Xei

Was there any context?

I don't know the context but I do know Alan Turing was a pretty adamant atheist

Originally Posted by MetalFingers

I don't know the context but I do know Alan Turing was a pretty adamant atheist

That makes sense he was a genius after all. wink wink

From wikipedia: Boundary value problem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In mathematics, in the field of differential equations, a boundary value problem is a differential equation together with a set of additional restraints, called the boundary conditions. A solution to a boundary value problem is a solution to the differential equation which also satisfies the boundary conditions.

My interpretation: Differential equations are a way of modeling complicated systems. Something as simple as a second-order, linear, differential equation, is capable of modeling just about anything that classical physics throws at you, mechanical systems and electric circuits alike.

A boundary condition sets a constraint on a differential equation, and limits the range of its possibilities by assigning some values, by fiat.

Another way to look at it: If science is an infinite field, and "scientific progress/observation/experimentation" is a dog that is allowed to run freely through the field, then religion is the leash on the dog, and the post that is planted, which causes the dog to only be able to run around within the radius of the leash. Even if the leash can stretch, it's slow-going at the boundaries of the circle, with LOTS of resistance that holds back progress.

I think that's the sort of thing Turing was thinking about. That is, that religion is a boundary that's trying to keep back the progress of science, and keep it localized within a bubble. And I think he's right.

Edit to add: CORRECTION - tries IN VAIN to hold it back