Pope says some science shatters human dignity

Scientific American ^ | January 30, 2008 | Philip Pullella

[RobbyS]

Speaking of, Scientific America seems to be trying to trick us into thinking that the pope is against science.

[RightWhale]

If you know what it is, use it in a sentence. :)

[RightWhale]

Science without ethics is a tool of the devil.

What is science?
What is ethics?
What is a tool?
What is a devil?

[betty boop]

If you know what [dignity] is, use it in a sentence. :)

Okay.

God conferred dignity upon mankind in making him imago Dei, in His image and reflection; that is, by endowing him with reason and free will. It is this divinely-conferred dignity that justifies the Bible's teaching that God regards each and every human person as sacred. Each of us is called do the same.

Will that do?

[RightWhale]

It will do if you are happy with it. You are happy with it, aren’t you?

[betty boop]

It will do if you are happy with it. You are happy with it, aren’t you?

I am completely satisfied with it, because I believe it is the absolute Truth.

The problem the atheist has, though it goes unacknowledged, is that without God there is no foundation for human thought, no firm Rock on which to stand.

[RightWhale]

Well, happiness and satisfaction are different things, but to some degree either will do in this imperfect world. Free will is dignity. Interesting. Concepts have dignity, too, but without free will.

[betty boop]

Concepts have dignity, too, but without free will.

How can a concept have dignity? On what basis?

Concepts are the products of free will -- of a free, unfettered intellect (reason, the other endowment of dignity). If a concept was not born in this way, then it's just an empty slogan, so much propaganda.

[RightWhale]

Can’t read Kant without getting this.

[betty boop]

Can’t read Kant without getting this.

I don't always agree with Kant.

[RightWhale]

LOL

[betty boop]

:^)

[Dajjal]

Speaking of, Scientific America seems to be trying to trick us into thinking that the pope is against science.

I thought the reporter did a fairly balanced job in the article, but that the editor who wrote the headline was trying to snipe at Pope Benedict.

I really dislike it when editors do that. I think that whatever way the article goes, the editor's headline should mimic the article's take.

[RobbyS]

Pascal—no mean scientist—said that scientists should not say things that are not clear.. Long ago the SA decided to publish what is unclear. .

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for the ping to this engaging sidebar! And thank you for the great example of the word dignity!