Review of No Greater Faith than that of Science
Posted: 22 Jan 2025, 16:21
[Following is a volunteer review of "No Greater Faith than that of Science" by Manuel S. Vergara.]
No greater faith that that of Science asks deep questions about the nature of spirituality and the scientific method. The author questions whether the two states are mutually exclusive, the main thrust of the argument: the scientific method requires some faith based thinking anyway. You are asked to consider whether we can prove certain elements of our understanding of the universe, or if they ask the same acceptance as an out of body experience (for example).
It isn’t a new question, neither will a definitive new study convince you. Rather, Vergara tries to tie together studies and musings from history's scientists, philosophers and religious figures to make a case.
The book wavers between heavily technical explanations of an experiment and it’s findings, to religious ideals. At it’s best, it discusses interesting studies into transcendental experience and asks questions about what conclusions we can draw. It does, at times, become mired in technical description or drawings that most readers may find dry or outside their realm of understanding. Although these experiments are central to parts of the contention, the choice by the author not to translate for the layman sometimes detracted from the thesis. It is for this reason that I reduced the rating. Particularly in the early chapters the writing felt disjointed, often disrupted by a detail heavy drawing. There were times these drawings either lacked context or felt that way when the descriptions were hard to follow.
In a later chapter, perhaps the most compelling case is presented. In an effort to de-couple religion from spirituality Vergara touches on the worst aspects of human nature, prompting us to consider the roots of both and to think about whether they are one and the same. This chapter was touching and to me, the most influential case (as it is aspirational at least).
The book finds it’s feet in middle chapters, where the writing becomes more fluid and the ideas more accessible. As the story transitions from the scientific to the spiritual throughout it’s journey it becomes easier to read and more of the author is present in their words.
It closes not with demands for your belief, but appealing that the reader keep an open mind. I thought this book asked some fascinating questions, albeit ones without definitive answers, and while I think it is unlikely to change many minds on religion it does have interesting ideas on spirituality.
******
No Greater Faith than that of Science
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
No greater faith that that of Science asks deep questions about the nature of spirituality and the scientific method. The author questions whether the two states are mutually exclusive, the main thrust of the argument: the scientific method requires some faith based thinking anyway. You are asked to consider whether we can prove certain elements of our understanding of the universe, or if they ask the same acceptance as an out of body experience (for example).
It isn’t a new question, neither will a definitive new study convince you. Rather, Vergara tries to tie together studies and musings from history's scientists, philosophers and religious figures to make a case.
The book wavers between heavily technical explanations of an experiment and it’s findings, to religious ideals. At it’s best, it discusses interesting studies into transcendental experience and asks questions about what conclusions we can draw. It does, at times, become mired in technical description or drawings that most readers may find dry or outside their realm of understanding. Although these experiments are central to parts of the contention, the choice by the author not to translate for the layman sometimes detracted from the thesis. It is for this reason that I reduced the rating. Particularly in the early chapters the writing felt disjointed, often disrupted by a detail heavy drawing. There were times these drawings either lacked context or felt that way when the descriptions were hard to follow.
In a later chapter, perhaps the most compelling case is presented. In an effort to de-couple religion from spirituality Vergara touches on the worst aspects of human nature, prompting us to consider the roots of both and to think about whether they are one and the same. This chapter was touching and to me, the most influential case (as it is aspirational at least).
The book finds it’s feet in middle chapters, where the writing becomes more fluid and the ideas more accessible. As the story transitions from the scientific to the spiritual throughout it’s journey it becomes easier to read and more of the author is present in their words.
It closes not with demands for your belief, but appealing that the reader keep an open mind. I thought this book asked some fascinating questions, albeit ones without definitive answers, and while I think it is unlikely to change many minds on religion it does have interesting ideas on spirituality.
******
No Greater Faith than that of Science
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon