Science vs. Supernatural Systems of Explaining the Universe: Sunday’s Take

Science and the supernatural may seem completely different from each other, but they are both ways of perceiving and explaining the world. Sunday shares her abbreviated take on the differences between

Science and the supernatural may seem completely different from each other, but they are both ways of perceiving and explaining the world. Sunday shares her abbreviated take on the differences between them and the benefits of each.

SUNDAY: For context, Monday and I were discussing the definition of religion and Monday posited that a religion must have a belief in the supernatural (i.e. non-physical) as a means of explaining the universe. My contention was that the idea of physics is ‘non-physical’ and merely an extremely robust descriptor of reality that not only explained but predicted.

Supernatural beliefs only describe things as they are (the world as we see it is because of X) and provide rough explanations for the ways thing are—they don’t provide a algorithmic way to predict phenomena. But to ascribe the fact that things fall down to the concept of ‘gravity’ is as arbitrary as ascribing it to ‘a spirit’—both are concepts that try to attempt to explain something concrete and observable. The difference with science is that it is going from reality → explanation rather than shoe-horning it in the opposite direction.

But this is all to say that science isn’t inherently superior to supernatural explanations—if there existed a magical system that was more effective, then it would be better at describing reality than science. However, it does not. Science is the best tool right now to explain, predict, and model reality

The supernatural, however, also fills gaps that science can’t readily touch—such as emotions and a desire for spiritual connection. Supernatural beliefs thus can provide a tool a different ‘job’ than science.

Science and supernatural beliefs can be harmonious. I emphasize can since, in practice, they are typically conflicting and contradictory. But they don’t have to be. Science can explain the universe, but the supernatural can explain the big whys of it and provide spiritual comfort.

What’s your take? Do you think science and the supernatural can coexist?