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There is arguably no more important and pressing topic than the relation of science and religion in the modern world. Science is clearly one of the most profound methods that humans have yet devised for discovering truth, while religion remains the single greatest force for generating meaning. Truth and meaning, science and religion; but we still cannot figure out how to get the two of them together in a fashion that both find acceptable.

Ken Wilber#22

ReligionScienceTruthWarMeaning

About this quote

What does it mean?
Science seeks truth and religion seeks meaning, but they struggle to coexist peacefully.
In plain terms
Science and religion want different things and can't agree on how to work together.
What can you take from it?
Recognize the conflict between factual and meaningful approaches.

Where it applies

  • public discourse
  • education
  • personal belief

Putting it to work

  • facilitate dialogue
  • respect differences
  • find common ground

Questions to consider

  • Which matters more to you?
  • Can they coexist?

Another view

Some argue they address completely separate questions.

More from Ken Wilber

  1. The Realization of the Nondual traditions is uncompromising: There is only Spirit, there is only God, there is only Emptiness in all its radiant wonder. All th…

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  2. These two enormous forces - truth and meaning - are at war in today's world. ...And something sooner or later has to give.

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  3. Anybody can they say they are being 'spiritual' - and they are, because everybody has some type and level of concern. Let us therefore see their actual concept…

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