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The antagonism between science and religion, about which we hear so much, appears to me to be purely factitious-fabricated, on the one hand, by short-sighted religious people who confound a certain branch of science, theology, with religion; and, on the other, by equally short-sighted scientific people who forget that science takes for its province only that which is susceptible of clear intellectual comprehension; and that, outside the boundaries of that province, they must be content with imagination, with hope, and with ignorance.

Thomas Henry Huxley#24

Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.

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About this quote

What does it mean?
The conflict between science and religion is artificial, caused by misunderstandings on both sides about their respective domains.
In plain terms
Science and religion fight only because people confuse what each should cover.
What can you take from it?
Clarity on boundaries reduces unnecessary conflict between fields.

Where it applies

  • academic debates
  • public discourse
  • personal ethics

Putting it to work

  • define scopes clearly
  • avoid overreach
  • respect different methods

Questions to consider

  • Where should science stop and religion begin?
  • How do you handle conflicting worldviews?

Another view

Some issues genuinely overlap and cannot be neatly separated.

More from Thomas Henry Huxley

  1. History warns us, however, that it is the customary fate of new truths to begin as heresies and to end as superstitions; and, as matters now stand, it is hardl…

    Permalink to quote #23
  2. Science ... commits suicide when it adopts a creed.

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is the man who has so much as to be out of danger?

    Permalink to quote #22

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