is religion the end of science?

religion

科学的尽头是神学,这句话对吗?

不,其实是应该是神学的尽头是科学。

现代科学的世界图景(Weltbild) 产生于中世纪基督教神学的尸体之上。中世纪神学认为世界有其固定的秩序,这个秩序是由神带来,而我们日常生活中的存在都可以一一对应在神所创造的秩序中。

For the Middle Ages, in contrast, that which is, is the ens creatum, that which is created by the personal Creator-God as the highest cause. To be in being means to belong within a specific rank of the order of what has been created – a rank appointed from beginning – and as thus caused, to correspond to the cause of creation. (analogia entis) (130, QCT)

基督教神学体系下的认识从来没有把事物看成是“客观的”,可以被人所认识和理解的。相反,客观和人的认识(可以被人理解的属性)是现代世界图景的产物。下面摘录一段以帮助理解中世纪神学的形而上学和认识论。

The highest knowledge and teaching is theology as the interpretation of the divine word of revelation, which is set down in Scripture and proclaimed by the Church. Here, to know is not to search out; rather it is to understand rightly the authoritative Word and the authorities proclaiming it. There­fore, the discussion of the words and doctrinal opinions of the various authorities takes precedence in the acquiring of knowledge in the Middle Ages. (122, QCT)

简单翻译一下就是中世纪神学对于世界的认识依附于教会权威以及其对圣经的解读。去认识并不意味着去“探索”,而是指去诉诸典籍和权威。如果你出生在中世纪的欧洲,你的形而上学观点必然是从圣经出发的神学讨论,在那样的社会环境中你并不会产生“科学精神”,“客观”之类我们习以为常的观念。

现代科学的世界图景的重要性在于,人类第一次有了自己的观点,而不仅仅依附于神学的参照系。神学的终结是系统性的,我们“失去了诸神”。正如尼采所说,“上帝已死”。神学的终结并不是宗教活动 (religiosity) 的终结。神学的终结在于,广义的宗教,包括基督教本身,必然会在现代化的过程(将其自身转化为一种世界图景[Weltbild]的过程)中丧失其对神的存在和神话迷思所断言的确定性。在这个意义上,我们真正成为我们世界秩序的创造者。诸神已死,凶手正是我们自己,而人的存在正是因此被解放,我们从此进入科学的时代。

因此,神学的尽头是科学。


Works Cited:

The Questions Concerning Technology (QCT). Heidegger, Martin. Electronic source.