Faith just doesn't have anything to do with what I'm doing as a scientist. It's nice if you can believe in God, because then you see more of a purpose in things. Even if you don't, though, it doesn't mean that there's no purpose. It doesn't mean that there's no goodness. I think that there's a virtue in being good in and of itself. I think that one can work with the world we have.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Faith is separate from scientific work, but belief can add purpose. Goodness has value regardless of religious belief.
- In plain terms
- Science does not require faith, but being good is valuable on its own.
- What can you take from it?
- You can find purpose and goodness without relying on religious faith.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can you be good without faith?
- Does faith enhance purpose?
Another view
Some people find it difficult to find purpose without religious frameworks.
More from Lisa Randall
Religion asks questions about morals, whereas science just asks questions about the natural world. But when people try to use religion to address the natural w…
Permalink to quote #10 I think it's a problem that people are considered immoral if they're not religious. That's just not true. This might earn me some enemies, but in some ways the…
Permalink to quote #12 Science is not religion. We're not going to be able to answer the 'why' questions. But when you put together all of what we know about the universe, it fits to…
Permalink to quote #9
Related quotes
Happiness is not an end - it is only a means, and adjunct, a consequence. The Omnipotent Himself could never be supposed by any, save those who out of their ow…
Dinah CraikDinah Craik quote #30 Only those live who do good.
Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy quote #123 We should therefore, with grace and optimism, embrace NOMA's tough-minded demand: Acknowledge the personal character of these human struggles about morals and …
Stephen Jay GouldStephen Jay Gould quote #1