On the border of science - problems and doubts

1. Entity type Lemma
2. Original titleНа границата на науката - проблеми и съмнения
3. Language term Bulgarian
4. lemma author Nachev, Ivaylo
5. lemma category Complementarity
6. Publication date 28-2-2018
7. lemma work Стригачев, Атанас [Author]. On the border of science - problems and doubts
8. lemma manifestations На границата на науката - проблеми и съмнения - София: Интеграл Г, 1996.
9. Keywords atheism
10. Lemma body

    1. Key statement of the author is that science expands knowledge and explores big questions but it often does not provide definite solutions. Doubt is fundamental part of science. At the same time science is one, very important, but not the only one part of human culture. 

       The traditionally Bulgarian science does not give space for various interpretations.

       Our current civilization is based on scientific thinking. Religion has different fundaments but at the same time it has its role in improving life. Elaborating on problems on the border between science and religion, the author posed the question: "Is it possible that atheism is militant and at the same time based on scientific thinking? Can science, seeking truth, be intolerant?"

       Separate chapter posed the question whether science and religion are compatible. In view of the current challenges of the 21^th centuries efforts should be united, including the divided in the past scientific and religious thinking which now have common goals. The author pointed some decades ago such statement would have clashed with the official atheistic ideology in Bulgaria. The atheism is deeply and unconsciously rooted in the way of thinking of the older generations (including popular literature). Simultaneously, nowadays many Bulgarians rediscover the faith of the predecessors. The author provided many examples that, contrary to widespread perceptions,  science and religion have gone hand in hand through human history “complex and entangled interaction” (e.g.Pascal and Newton – scholars but also religious).

       Noteworthy is also the observation that not being really pious in observing religious rules, Bulgarians have marked respect not only for “one Christian Orthodox religion” but also the other religions. Attention to Christianity is seen as an inseparable part of Bulgarian culture and national identity. Science and religion have different points of departure but they are also complementary – together they give the full picture.