Religion, Science, and Space Exploration from a Non-Western Perspective

Abstract

Religion and science are often set up as polar opposites in Western philosophical and religious discourse and seen as representing different epistemological perspectives that juxtapose rationality with faith. Space exploration is largely viewed as a scientific and engineering problem and, thus, has tended to set aside the issue of religion as it relates to human movement off-planet. However, as we have moved increasingly toward the idea of colonization of the Moon and Mars, social scientists and philosophers have increasingly come to recognize that human movement into space also needs to be understood as a social phenomenon. As a social phenomenon, there is an inherent necessity to consider how religion may play a role in or influence the process of human exploration and settlement of space. However, what do we mean when we say “religion?” One of the fundamental problems of thinking about the relationship between religion, science, and space exploration is that the meaning of the word religion is rarely well-defined. Do we mean faith-based religions such as Christianity or Islam? Or do we mean practice-based religions such as Shinto and some forms of Buddhism? This paper will explore the question of religion and science from the perspective of Japanese religions as a way of problematizing the manner in which we think about and define religion as it relates to the practice of space exploration.

Psycho-Religious Experiences in Deep Space History: Astronaut’s Latent Countermeasures for Human Risk Management

“…The relationship between science and religion is an ongoing public discourse since the concept of the former (science) is more visible in modern society [11,12]. The character of each interprets the other one as odd.…”

“…Such a psychological mechanism would be desperate, especially when part of the Virgin mission project to Mars encounters "an extremely hostile environment for human life, including the lack of gravity (microgravity = weightlessness), high speed (about 24,600 mph = 39,600 kph), harmful radiation, isolation, and the absence of night and day" [16,17]. The language of science is based on data and actual figures for fact and reality, while the language of religion is "more akin to poetry" in which the virtuous value, dignity, and goals of humanity can be alternatively considered for courage and self-confidence [11].…”

“…Physicists Neils Bohr and Werner Heisenberg commonly support the perspective that religion and science do not need to be split into opposing realities [11]. As a case study between Japanese Buddhism and science, John W. Traphagan argues that "there is no inherent conflict between the two counterparts, largely because there is no philosophical or theological tension between the scientific and religious worldview" [11]. The NOMA (non-overlapping magisteria) principle takes the perspective that they do not impinge to each other but different domains of inquiry [18].…”