One Chapter summary
What is central to truth seeking in dogmatic religions, mystical religions, science and the arts?
Dogmatic religions:
Seeking truth is based on the authority of religious dogma, the inerrancy of texts, and accepting the authority of religious figures and hierarchy. Accepting this authority extends to matters of fact about the world and about people. Insights come from prayer, studying inerrant text(s), and appeal to doctrinal authority. Doubt is only useful as a means to get to the dogma that is the single truth; after that, doubt is to be suppressed. Most- more than half- of dogmatic religions separate humanity into two parts: the devout, and the infidel. The dogmatic versions of the three Levantine religions all argue for dualism. Dogmatic religions typically think of having values- standards- means to have only absolute truths.
Mystical religions:
Insight from meditation followed by logical reasoning. Myths point toward mysteries, and sometimes partially explain the mysteries in the world. Questioning and dissent- doubt- are essential to gain further insight. Many mystical religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, argue for monism. Mystical religions have standards- values- but these are based on introspective insight followed by logical analysis, not on absolute truths.
Science:
Ancient science (say around 3000BCE) was almost indistinguishable from myth, with the exception of noting the seasons and changes in star patterns. So ancient people saw myths as containing some truth, not merely as fictional stories. Science has always used logic to deduce the truth in various situations. Starting roughly in 1500CE, the idea of an "experiment" to test ideas and learn more about the world became increasingly important, so much so that now most science areas are considered first and foremost experimental, not theoretical (based on logic). Even physics, often the most mathematical of the sciences, is thought of as an experimental science. The development of experimental led science to several criteria for "truth" in science:
* Reproducibility
* Predictability
* Testability
* Falsifiability
* Range of applicability
Science and the arts have beauty in common as a criteria for seeking truth. In this respect they are qualitatively different from dogmatic religions. Another way in which both differ is that both science and the arts have doubt- questioning, dissent- as central to advances in their areas. Science and the arts have values, based on supplanting existing ideas with ideas that cover more territory, not based on seeking or finding absolute truths.
Arts:
The goal of the arts is the enduring image (aural, visual, verbal). This makes sense because the human mind is made for pattern recognition. Art has meaning, as shown by how it affects us. Art affects our value- it teaches, delights, acts as prophecy for human emotions, and illustrates both our strenghts and weaknesses. Art can also be a threat; it can and often has threatened established values. Unlike science, but similar to religion, art deals with transcendental questions. We in fact argue that religion is one of the arts. We also argue that among the most important functions of the arts...