Science vs. Religion: The Conflict Thesis Examined

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT considered a key argument in favor of the conflict thesis?

Accepted Answer

Science and religion are both equally valid ways of understanding the world.

Answer

Science and religion make fundamentally different claims about the nature of reality.

Answer

Science and religion are incompatible because they rely on different methods of inquiry.

Answer

Science and religion have historically been in conflict, with scientific advancements often challenging religious beliefs.

Question 2

Which contemporary scientific finding directly challenges the Conflict Thesis by providing evidence of the compatibility of science and religion?

Accepted Answer

Neuroscience research on religious experiences

Answer

The discovery of the Higgs Boson

Answer

The theory of evolution

Answer

The discovery of alien life

Question 3

Which of the following is a key argument supporting the conflict thesis?

Accepted Answer

Science and religion provide conflicting accounts of the natural world.

Answer

Science and religion have similar foundational principles.

Answer

Science and religion share the same epistemological approach.

Question 4

Which contemporary issue exemplifies the conflict thesis?

Accepted Answer

Debates surrounding the teaching of evolution in schools

Answer

The Galileo affair

Answer

The Scopes Trial

Question 5

What central tenet underpins the 'nones overlap' approach?

Accepted Answer

Science and religion are distinct domains of knowledge with no overlap.

Answer

Science and religion complement each other in understanding the world.

Answer

Science is superior to religion in providing reliable knowledge.

Question 6

Which statement best summarizes the conflict thesis?

Accepted Answer

Science and religion are inherently incompatible, often leading to conflict.

Answer

Science has definitively disproved religious claims.

Answer

Science and religion are complementary and mutually enriching.

Question 7

Identify a central argument of the Conflict Thesis:

Accepted Answer

Science and religion present conflicting explanations for the origins of the universe.

Answer

Science and religion are inherently compatible and complementary.

Answer

Science and religion equally rely on faith as a basis for their claims.

Question 8

What is the central idea behind the 'accommodationist' approach to the science-religion relationship?

Accepted Answer

Science and religion can be harmonized through interpretation and compromise.

Answer

Science and religion are fundamentally irreconcilable and must be kept separate.

Answer

Science and religion represent two distinct and unrelated domains of knowledge.

Question 9

Identify a current debate that illustrates the relevance of the Conflict Thesis in modern times:

Accepted Answer

The ongoing controversy surrounding the teaching of evolution in educational settings

Answer

The debate on the appropriate role of religion in public discourse

Answer

The debate on the existence or non-existence of God

Question 10

What does the 'non-overlapping magisteria' approach propose about the relationship between science and religion?

Accepted Answer

They occupy different domains of knowledge and do not overlap.

Answer

Religion should serve as a guiding force for scientific inquiry.

Answer

Science and religion should be fully integrated into a single, unified worldview.

Question 11

What is the 'post-secular' perspective on the relationship between science and religion?

Accepted Answer

They are interconnected and mutually enriching domains of human understanding.

Answer

Science and religion are fundamentally incompatible and should be kept entirely separate.

Answer

Religion should be confined to the private sphere and excluded from public life.

Question 12

Identify a potential strength of the Conflict Thesis:

Accepted Answer

It highlights historical tensions and conflicts between science and religion.

Answer

It provides a definitive resolution to the question of science-religion conflict.

Answer

It has gained universal acceptance from scientific and religious authorities.

Question 13

What is the 'contextualist' position's main argument regarding the relationship between science and religion?

Accepted Answer

Their interaction is shaped and influenced by historical, cultural, and social factors.

Answer

Science holds a position of superiority to religion in terms of truth and reliability.

Answer

Science and religion are distinct and non-intersecting spheres of knowledge.

Question 14

Which of the following is a central concept of the Conflict Thesis?

Accepted Answer

Incompatibility

Answer

Integration

Answer

Complementarity

Answer

Accommodation

Question 15

Who is widely recognized as the originator of the Conflict Thesis?

Accepted Answer

John William Draper

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

Thomas Huxley

Answer

Richard Dawkins

Question 16

What is the primary argument supporting the Conflict Thesis?

Accepted Answer

Science and religion make fundamentally conflicting claims about the nature of reality.

Answer

Religion is inherently incompatible with scientific reasoning.

Answer

Science has proven the existence of God.

Question 17

Who authored the influential work titled 'Conflict and Accommodation: Science and Religion in the Enlightenment'?

Accepted Answer

John Hedley Brooke

Answer

Ian Barbour

Answer

Alvin Plantinga

Answer

Alister McGrath

Question 18

How does the Conflict Thesis impact the role of religion in education?

Accepted Answer

It challenges the traditional assumption of science and religion as fully compatible.

Answer

It advocates for the exclusive teaching of science in educational institutions.

Answer

It promotes the integration of religious beliefs into scientific curricula.

Question 19

Which of the following is an appropriate response to the challenges posed by the Conflict Thesis?

Accepted Answer

Fostering dialogue and promoting mutual understanding

Answer

Rejecting science and embracing extreme religious fundamentalism

Answer

Ignoring the conflict and relying solely on religious apologetics

Question 20

Identify a key argument presented in the conflict thesis.

Accepted Answer

Science and religion provide competing explanations for natural phenomena.

Answer

Religion is no longer relevant in contemporary society.

Answer

Science is inherently superior to religion.

Question 21

Who is credited with establishing the conflict thesis?

Accepted Answer

John William Draper

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

Andrew Dickson White

Answer

Richard Dawkins

Question 22

According to the conflict thesis, what can be said about the future of science and religion?

Accepted Answer

They are destined to remain in conflict.

Answer

They will gradually converge.

Answer

They will coexist peacefully.

Answer

They will ultimately become irrelevant.

Question 23

Identify a key criticism directed at the conflict thesis.

Accepted Answer

It simplifies the relationship between science and religion.

Answer

It relies on outdated scientific knowledge.

Answer

It favors religion over science.

Question 24

Provide an example of a scientific theory used to support the conflict thesis.

Accepted Answer

Evolution by natural selection

Answer

String theory

Answer

The Big Bang Theory

Answer

Quantum mechanics

Question 25

Explain a key distinction between the conflict thesis and the theory of accommodation.

Accepted Answer

The conflict thesis argues for the incompatibility between science and religion, while the accommodation theory proposes they can be reconciled.

Answer

The conflict thesis is based on scientific evidence, while the accommodation theory is based on religious beliefs.

Question 26

Identify a factor that has contributed to the decline in the popularity of the conflict thesis in recent times.

Accepted Answer

Widespread acceptance of evolution as a scientific theory

Answer

Growth of religious fundamentalism

Answer

New scientific discoveries supporting the conflict thesis