[Mylo]

"Materialism", or material explanations of phenomenon, cannot be removed from Science. If it is immaterial it cannot be measured, observed or predicted. Without observation, measurement or prediction there is no Science.

So I have two questions for you...

1) How successful have non-material explanations been in observing and predicting the universe; as well as settling issues of factual disagreement?

2) How many Scientific theories are dependent upon an unobservable and unmeasurable force acting upon matter with an unknown mechanism?

[johnnyb_61820]

Here's the big question -- can everything be predicted? If not, then knowing the limits of predictability would be essential to knowing when science was actually doing something or just chasing its tail. In order to do this, it must acknowledge the existence of the non-material.

In addition, intelligent agents, while not predictable (although, neither is quantum mechanics), does have general characteristics that can be measured and observed. Namely bringing order and pattern to otherwise chaotic systems.

"How many Scientific theories are dependent upon an unobservable and unmeasurable force acting upon matter with an unknown mechanism?"

Quantum theory.