The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

10 SCIENCE AND RELIGION.are concerned with more restricted ranges ofknowledge. It may be a much easier thingto state precisely how recent advances haveaffected a particular branch of science, suchas astronomy or geology, than to say howthey bear upon the general conception of theuniverse. Yet, while the latter is the moredifficult question, it is that with which mengenerally must be more concerned. Only avery limited number of men can belong to theranks of specialists devoted to a single branchof science. All men, specialists as well asothers, are concerned with the wider questionas to the true conception of the universe, andthe bearing it has on human life and destiny.It is impossible to imagine that marked advancecan be made ill any of the sciences,without its having some bearing on the moregeneral problem in which all men are practicallyinterested. Each specialist perceivesthis more or less clearly as he is working outthe result of complicated observations or calculations.The public mind may be said ratherto feel that some modification of common beliefis taking place, while there is great uncertaintyas to the actual change. What givesa sense of security to the general conv~ction