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Scientists and business leaders who care about social justice should join forces with environmental and religious organizations to give political clout to ethics. Science and religion should work together to abolish the gross inequalities that prevail in the modern world. That is my vision, and it is the same vision that inspired Francis Bacon four hundred years ago, when he prayed that through science God would 'endow the human family with new mercies'.

Freeman Dyson#40

ScienceReligionEthicsJusticeCollaborationInequalitySocial justice

About this quote

What does it mean?
Science and religion should collaborate to address social injustice and inequality using ethical principles. This vision aligns with historical ideals of using science for human betterment.
In plain terms
Scientific and religious groups working together can push for ethics and reduce global inequality.
What can you take from it?
Coalitions of science and religion can amplify ethical demands for social justice.

Where it applies

  • advocacy
  • interdisciplinary work
  • social reform

Putting it to work

  • join cross-sector alliances
  • promote ethical science
  • advocate for equality

Questions to consider

  • Can science and religion align on ethics?
  • What stops this vision from happening?

Another view

The collaboration suggested may face significant ideological or practical barriers.

More from Freeman Dyson

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  2. My first heresy says that all the fuss about global warming is grossly exaggerated. Here I am opposing the holy brotherhood of climate model experts and the cr…

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  3. In the little town of Princeton where I live, we have more than twenty churches and at least one synagogue, providing different forms of worship and belief for…

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