Science as the New Authority

Since the late 1600s, society has increasingly looked to science for clarity on what is real and true. The impressive achievements of scientific methods have overshadowed religious explanations, elevating scientists and philosophers to the role of authoritative figures in these discussions.

Science has undeniably expanded our understanding of the world, enhancing our safety, health, and comfort. This success leads many to consider science the ultimate authority on fundamental questions, such as the nature of the universe, its origins, its composition, and its workings. These inquiries, in turn, raise essential questions about human identity, purpose, and the afterlife.

This reflection is prompted by recent articles in Medium and Quanta Magazine, which reveal the current shortcomings of science:

A Crisis in Understanding

Quanta Magazine describes a critical situation where scientists are reevaluating foundational concepts about the universe:

> “We are confronted with the need to reconsider the guiding principles that have been used for decades to address the most fundamental questions about the physical world,” noted Gian Giudice, head of the theory division at CERN, in 2017.

This statement comes from a leading figure at CERN, renowned for its discovery of the Higgs boson.

What sparked this crisis? The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has not yielded the expected fundamental particles that would clarify the Higgs boson's mass. The article suggests that not finding these particles has led scientists to reconsider what is considered "natural" in nature:

> “…it seemed that the very logic about what’s natural in nature might be wrong.”

This highlights a significant issue: Physicalism posits that all phenomena result from matter operating randomly according to physical laws, revealing our ignorance about the universe's structure.

The Nature of 'Nothing'

The Quanta article further indicates that delving deeply into the essence of reality often leads us to the concept of 'nothingness':

> “As modern physicists have grappled with more sophisticated candidates for the ultimate theory of nature, they have encountered a growing multitude of types of nothing.”

This suggests that our understanding of the universe may hinge on recognizing various forms of absence, not merely vacuums. The claims of physicists like Hawking and Krauss that "nothing" could give rise to the universe have been challenged, as these vacuums complicate rather than clarify our understanding of existence.

The unsettling conclusion drawn by these scientists is:

> “Our universe may sit on a platform of shoddy construction, a ‘metastable’ vacuum that is doomed — in the distant future — to transform into another sort of nothing, destroying everything in the process.”

Uncovering truths about our universe can lead to disillusionment. Joseph Polchinski, a pioneer in string theory, found the theory's requirement for ten dimensions — most of which are unobservable — to be troubling, leading him to seek professional help:

> “If string theory predicts every imaginable variety of nothing, has it predicted anything?”

Quantum Theory and Its Mysteries

The discrediting of medieval alchemy raises questions about contemporary scientific methodologies. Philosopher Paul Austin Murphy recently pointed out that some physicists, including Edwin Jaynes, have begun to doubt science's ability to provide absolute truths:

> “If a scientific theory (or statement) doesn’t categorically offer us the (absolute?) truth, then it’s equivalent to ‘medieval necromancy’.”

This notion echoes the dogmatic realism critiqued by quantum pioneer Werner Heisenberg, who argued against the expectation that science must yield definitive answers about reality.

If science cannot elucidate the nature of reality, why do we continue to seek guidance from scientists and philosophers? The expectation of dogmatic realism is deeply ingrained, yet if science cannot fulfill this role, alternative sources of understanding must be explored.

Roger Penrose, a prominent physicist, challenges the idea that quantum mechanics offers any insights into reality:

> “It is a common view among many of today’s physicists that quantum mechanics provides us with NO picture of ‘reality’ at all!”

This mathematical abstraction has been taken to an extreme by some, such as Max Tegmark, who argues that the universe is identical to mathematics. However, such views raise further questions about their utility in understanding our reality.

Murphy observes that there are numerous interpretations of quantum mechanics, often contradictory, yet all are accepted as valid. This scenario is akin to claiming the moon is made of both rock and green cheese, with science endorsing all interpretations equally. This lack of clarity complicates our understanding of what is real.

Despite the advancements in scientific knowledge, we find ourselves grappling with fundamental mysteries. Questions about consciousness, the origins of life, and the essence of matter remain unresolved, leading many to mistakenly believe that scientists will eventually provide clarity.

As the mysteries deepen and conflicting theories multiply, we must consider the implications for our worldviews. If we have placed our trust in science to guide our understanding of truth and reality, how do we navigate the profound uncertainties that arise?

The Impact of Science's Limitations on Our Worldview

If worldviews are critical and science serves as their foundation, the inability of scientists to offer coherent explanations may elucidate many issues plaguing our society today.

Some may argue that worldviews are insignificant, but they profoundly influence how we think, act, and feel. Our perspectives are shaped by those we respect for their insights into truth and reality.

If this is accurate, we face a significant problem regarding our worldview. Today’s scientific authorities provide little more than confusion, and ultimately admit their lack of understanding about reality. This situation likely contributes to many of the profound challenges we face as individuals and as a society.

The Importance of Worldviews

A psychiatrist defined a worldview as a:

> “philosophy of life that answers all the most fundamental questions of human existence.”

However, worldviews often go unnoticed by those immersed in them. This concept was famously illustrated by David Foster Wallace in his 2005 commencement address, where he described the parable of the older fish asking younger fish about the water, to which the young fish replies, “What the hell is water?”

While worldviews may seem invisible to us, they become evident when we examine perspectives we do not share. For instance, a professor of aboriginal studies explained that their tribe’s members refer to creatures in the distance as “someone” instead of “something,” reflecting a worldview that does not distinguish between humans and animals.

This perspective shapes their thoughts, behaviors, and values and demonstrates that a worldview encompasses more than mere philosophical considerations. It addresses the essence of existence, what constitutes reality, and our place within it. The Anishinaabe worldview, for instance, recognizes a connection and respect for all living beings, a perspective often overlooked in mainstream culture.

Our contemporary understanding is rooted in a blend of ancient Near Eastern beliefs and Greek philosophies. While many in our culture accept the idea of heaven, they no longer envision it as a physical realm situated above the sky. The previous notion of a firmament has been replaced by an understanding of vast, empty space populated by countless celestial bodies. Today, we are often told that much of existence can be described as various forms of nothingness.

As we have rejected the idea of a firmament, we have also dismissed many explanations for the events that shape our lives. Deities like the Egyptian Maat or the Greek Zeus no longer exert influence over our fate as they did for earlier generations. We seek other explanations for our failures, no longer attributing them to divine displeasure.

How Worldviews Are Shaped by Observation and Interpretation

Humanity has long pondered the nature of the world and the reasons for its functioning. These inquiries stem from a desire for meaning and understanding of our existence. Closely tied to these questions is the struggle to comprehend mortality. Despite philosophical reassurances about the naturalness of death, evidence suggests that humans have historically sought answers about the afterlife, as seen in early cave art and petroglyphs.

People observe their surroundings and events in their lives to construct explanations. They strive for coherence, recognizing that contradictions indicate flawed or incomplete understandings. When credible observers provide explanations that align with their observations, these narratives often evolve into myths that convey a sense of reality.

Over time, individuals or communities that offer prevailing explanations gain authority, which in turn fosters belief in the validity of their narratives.

The Shift from Religion to Science as the Source of Truth

Worldviews are closely intertwined with religious beliefs, addressing origins, human existence, morality, and historical contingencies. It is unsurprising that science has supplanted religion as the principal source of worldview creation. Human observation of the universe has historically informed our collective understanding of reality. The term "science" emerged from "natural theology," which sought to explain the natural world from a theistic perspective, fueling significant advancements in understanding.

Science, akin to natural theology, aims to derive truths from observations. The adoption of rigorous scientific methodologies has shifted the authority for worldview formation from religious leaders to scientists.

This transformation has been perceived as a secularization of knowledge, often viewed as a rejection of religious beliefs. By eliminating notions of transcendence and limiting explanations to material causes, the new authorities have deemed this progress, casting those who cling to religious ideas as naive or uneducated.

Criticism of religious belief systems continues to be prevalent, as evidenced by derisive remarks about faith. However, it appears that the scientific community's limitations in addressing fundamental existential questions are becoming increasingly acknowledged.

The Anti-Theists Need Not Worry

We are unlikely to revert to outdated concepts such as a solid firmament or divine creation myths. Philosopher Charles Taylor, in A Secular Age, described the proliferation of ideas shaping our worldviews as a "nova." The rise of individuals identifying as "spiritual but not religious" reflects this trend. However, the prospect of unifying these individuals into a cohesive belief system seems improbable.

The inability of both religion and science to deliver satisfactory answers suggests that Taylor’s "nova" may evolve into a "supernova," leading to an overwhelming collapse of established ideas.

Despite decreasing trust in scientific reliability, science and scientists will continue to hold authority. The politicization of science, often instigated by scientists, reflects broader societal issues.

The Need for Vision

We require reliable guides to navigate inquiries about reality and truth. Some have adopted a pessimistic view, assuming that if science cannot provide answers, then no one can. This perspective aligns with certain post-modern thoughts that reflect a disillusionment with the promises of science.

Could the failure of science to offer coherent explanations contribute to the widespread sense of malaise evident in today’s society, manifested in despair and deep political divisions?

If neither religious nor scientific authorities can furnish a trustworthy foundation for understanding our world, where do we turn? Though I may seem curmudgeonly and pessimistic, I hope for a greater acknowledgment of science's limitations. Recognizing that we must also draw from history, human experience, and our shared existence may illuminate paths toward understanding.

By embracing both scientific inquiry and mysticism, we can arrive at a more profound comprehension of existence. This recognition is the first step toward progress, echoing the philosophical journeys of thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aquinas. The rigid doctrines of 17th-century physicalism are losing relevance, as our observations lead us to more reasonable conclusions about the "something more" that exists.

As this shift occurs, I believe that truth will gradually emerge, and the obscured lens through which we view the universe will become clearer.