“Science is increasingly answering questions that used to be the province of religion.”
- January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018
- British
- Theoretical physicist, science writer
- Announced the black hole singularity theorem and Hawking radiation, and contributed to the popularization of science with his book “Talking about the Universe”
Quote
“Science is increasingly answering questions that used to be the province of religion.”
Explanation
In this statement, Stephen Hawking reflects on how scientific discoveries have gradually taken over areas that were traditionally reserved for religion and philosophy. In the past, questions about the origin of the universe, the nature of life, and the meaning of existence were often answered through religious or spiritual frameworks. These explanations were based on faith, belief systems, or theological doctrines. However, over time, advancements in physics, biology, and cosmology have provided more concrete, empirical answers to many of these age-old questions.
Historically, figures like Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton challenged religious views by offering scientific explanations for natural phenomena. For example, Copernicus’s heliocentric model displaced the geocentric view upheld by the Church, while Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation explained the workings of the universe without resorting to divine intervention. In the 20th and 21st centuries, breakthroughs in quantum mechanics, cosmology, and genetics have further pushed the boundaries of understanding, explaining phenomena that were once seen as divine mysteries—such as the Big Bang (the origin of the universe) and evolution (the development of life).
Today, many people see science as a way to answer fundamental questions about our existence without the need for religious explanations. For instance, the discovery of the Higgs boson or the study of black holes provides us with insights into the fabric of the universe, often challenging religious narratives. Hawking himself was a vocal advocate for the idea that the universe could be explained by the laws of physics, without invoking a creator. However, it is important to note that some still see science and religion as complementary, with science explaining how things work, and religion providing meaning or purpose. The growing ability of science to address questions about the origins of life and the universe continues to provoke debates about the relationship between the two realms.
