Methodological atheism: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "See Non-theism for the distinction between deism, atheism and agnosticism. ''Methodological'' atheism or agnosticism is a self-imposed discipline of scientists when they seek ''scientific'' explanations for phenomena. Clearly to say "God did it" is not a scientific explanation; neither is "God might have done it". A scientist who offers an explanation for any phenomenon that depends on God in any way is not practising good scientific methodology, whether or not s/he...") |
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See [[Non-theism]] for the distinction between deism, atheism and agnosticism. ''Methodological'' atheism or agnosticism is a self-imposed discipline of scientists when they seek ''scientific'' explanations for phenomena. Clearly to say "God did it" is not a scientific explanation; neither is "God might have done it". A scientist who offers an explanation for any phenomenon that depends on God in any way is not practising good scientific methodology, whether or not s/he believes in any god. For this reason the scientific ''method'' is to work ''as though there is no god'' (methodological atheism) or ''as though knowledge about God is unattainable'' (methodological agnosticism). | See [[Non-theism]] for the distinction between deism, atheism and agnosticism. ''Methodological'' atheism or agnosticism is a self-imposed discipline of scientists when they seek ''scientific'' explanations for phenomena. Clearly to say "God did it" is not a scientific explanation; neither is "God might have done it". A scientist who offers an explanation for any phenomenon that depends on God in any way is not practising good scientific methodology, whether or not s/he believes in any god. For this reason the scientific ''method'' is to work ''as though there is no god'' (methodological atheism) or ''as though knowledge about God is unattainable'' (methodological agnosticism). | ||
See also "methodological naturalism" on the [[Naturalism]] page. | |||
Latest revision as of 22:59, 21 May 2023
See Non-theism for the distinction between deism, atheism and agnosticism. Methodological atheism or agnosticism is a self-imposed discipline of scientists when they seek scientific explanations for phenomena. Clearly to say "God did it" is not a scientific explanation; neither is "God might have done it". A scientist who offers an explanation for any phenomenon that depends on God in any way is not practising good scientific methodology, whether or not s/he believes in any god. For this reason the scientific method is to work as though there is no god (methodological atheism) or as though knowledge about God is unattainable (methodological agnosticism).
See also "methodological naturalism" on the Naturalism page.
