The Faith of Physicalist Science

The 11th in the series The Case Against Physicalism. The previous post discussed the wide range of mysteries that remain despite, or in some cases, because of the success of science. Faith is considered the domain of religion and physicalists denigrate faith as opposed to the solidity of the science they trust. But, one cannot be a physicalist without faith, above all the faith in “promissory materialism” and the belief that once science is done no mysteries will remain.

Image: Wikipedia. St. Paul’s definition of faith has been the standard for believers since the earliest days of Christianity. But, does this definition also apply to those who accept physicalist science as providing the best story of what is real and true?

St. Paul in the New Testament book of Hebrews defines faith this way:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Certainly faith is a key part of religion. God is not seen, at least by empirical science, but faith in God’s existence remains a strong conviction for many, including a great many scientists. Faith in God does not necessarily require faith in an afterlife, but hope for something better than the life we know is an essential part of most religions.

Part of the storyline of science is that because it is based on what we can observe, measure and test we have gone past the need for faith. One does not need to read far in Medium or in other contemporary channels to find examples of ridicule aimed at anyone who professes faith in anything beyond the known physical world.