I find the above post by bein_hasdorim interesting in that he seems to misunderstand the view that scientists have of science. We recognize that our conclusions are not timeless.; they are based on observation and therefore, can be only as accurate as the instruments that we use. When we discover new methods of measurement or improve the accuracy of our measurements, we can see things that we previously could not, and we thus change our conclusions. This is why science itself continually evolves. The important thing about the science is the data, not the theory. the theory has to fit the data, not the other way around. And we all understand that we do not have the complete story in any scientific discipline.
Those of us who are religious scientists do recognize the difference between scientific knowledge and Torah knowledge. We argue that there is no contradiction between them, not that there is no difference in the type of information involved.
bein_hasdorim wrote: “Dealing with a universe so vast, their intelligence so limited, their lifes so short, how can they possibly figure out the complexities that are astoundingly larger then
their mere pathetic finite lives.””
We understand this about the universe. However, one could also say the same about Torah. How could our limited intelligence understand a Torah so vast, with our short lifetimes–how could we figure out the complexities of Torah that are astoundingly larger than our mere pathetic lives?”
There–now does anyone disagree with that? Yet nobody would say that we should not study Torah. Just because we cannot finish the task does not excuse us from the work. And the same applies to science.
Scientists are not naive about science, nor are we “Am Haaratzim playing guessing games”, as bein_hasdorim would know if he knew exactly what is involved in science. If I may pose a question to him, do you use the words “Am Haaratz” and “shtuss” when you refer to medical advances made by scientists within your brief lifetime? Ones that might save the lives of you or one of your family members? Yes, everything was created by HKB”H–but keep in mind that He chose to reveal it through scientists using the scientific method, which you refer to as “shtuss”.