MODELS IN SCIENCE AND

RELIGION

MODELS IN SCIENCE AND

RELIGION

Unit 2b: What is real?Unit 2b: What is real?

MODELS AND ANALOGIESMODELS AND ANALOGIES

All disciplines, not just science and religion make use of similes, metaphors, analogies and models as they attempt to understand things.

Models and analogies help us to make sense of things which are new or invisible or conceptually challenging.

A model is a systematically developed analogy between something whose properties are well known and whatever it is that is unfamiliar.

ALL LANGUAGE IS FULL OF COMPARISONS

ALL LANGUAGE IS FULL OF COMPARISONS

ANALOGIES

When we say that A is analogous to B we are comparing something less familiar with a more familiar thing. All analogies carry with them an implied restriction. A is like B in some ways but not in others. The positive feature of the comparison is illuminating. The negative feature of the comparison is where it breaks down. The neutral features may or may not be helpful.

BA

The region wherethere is some

helpful similarityBetween A and B

The regionwhere something about A is of no

interest in acomparison with

B

The regionwhere something about B is of no

interest in acomparison with

A

COMPARISONS IN LANGUAGECOMPARISONS IN LANGUAGE

• In the Genesis narrative an analogy is made between Satan and a serpent or snake. This analogy can be expresses in a simile or a metaphor. Neither invite the naive identification of every feature of the two things being compared!

• SIMILES•

This is where a comparison is made and the link is made explicit: “A is like B”

•

e.g. Satan is like a serpent

• METAPHORS

• This is where a comparison is made and the link is implicit: “A is B” but we really mean “A is like B”

• e.g. Satan is a serpent

SATANSNAKE

BOTH SHOULDBE AVOIDED

AS POTENTIALLYDANGEROUS!

ReptilianSmooth skinCold Blooded

Eats mice

Fallen Angelaka Lucifer

Enemy of God

ALL LANGUAGE IS FULL OF COMPARISONS

ALL LANGUAGE IS FULL OF COMPARISONS

•MODELS: In a model the analogy between two things is

developed further. No one model can tell us everything we

would like to know. Often we need more than one model to

shed light on a complex phenomenon. In physics for

instance, we need both models of light as a wave and as a

particle to grasp different aspects of the reality of light. In

theology, various models of atonement are found in the

New Testament each trying to capture something of the

fullness of what the crucifixion of Jesus was about what its

significance is for Christian belief.

ALL DISCIPLINES MAKE MODELS OF THE

WORLD

ALL DISCIPLINES MAKE MODELS OF THE

WORLD• PHYSICS• CHEMISTRY

• ECONOMICS

• GEOGRAPHY

• THEOLOGY

• ETC ...

Each model is a representation of something which is designed for a special purpose

within that subjectarea.

MODELSMODELSSome models are used to remind us about something we already know about - they literally represent the original to us, eg. a model aeroplane; a photograph.

Models can also aid discovery eg. a model in a wind tunnel.

Models can also help to explain eg. various models of an atom.

MODELS ARE INHERENTLY LIMITED

MODELS ARE INHERENTLY LIMITED

All models tend to assume the independent existence of what they are models of. We model the real world; our models are not reality itself.

Therefore, models are like this external reality in some ways but not in others.

Models are thus limited and it is important to know in what ways the model is similar to reality and in what ways it is dissimilar.

The model A is like the reality B in some ways but not in others.

A MODEL NEED NOT ‘LOOK LIKE’ THE THING IT

REPRESENTS

A MODEL NEED NOT ‘LOOK LIKE’ THE THING IT

REPRESENTSA system of mathematical equations might model

planetary behaviour. Models like this are often called theoretical models. They are useful in making predictions and the best of them are remarkably accurate.

s=u+at; s=t[(u+v)/2]; s=ut+(at2)/2; v2=u2+2as; s=vt -(at2)/2

A COMMON FEATURE OF ALL MODELS

A COMMON FEATURE OF ALL MODELS

In all kinds of models there is a property that they have in common, namely the mapping of elements in the system being modelled onto the model.

If every element were mapped in this way then we would have an absolute replica of the original.

More usually models are less complex than the original. They have abstracted only certain interesting or relevant features of the original. The loss of certain details is irrelevant.

GEOGRAPHICAL MAPS SHOW THIS WELL

GEOGRAPHICAL MAPS SHOW THIS WELL

Maps reflect an interest in only some of the features of the complex reality being modelled in a particular map.

These photos are of Salt Lake City in the USA. These photo ‘maps’ are already limited models of the real place with its sights, smells, invisible radio waves and all the rest, not to mention complex

realities like the beliefs that residents have about God and so forth.

•This is a topographic map of part of Salt Lake City. The map is interested in such things as the elevation of parts of the landscape - hence the use of contour lines.

•A road map has a different set of interest that are reflected in what has been included on the map and what has been left out. Here the key material is what helps in getting from A to B.

•This is a shaded relief map. The interest here is focussed on the shape of the land alongside the approximate sizes and locations of towns and cities.

•A satellite image offers another perspective.

•A geological map digs deeper but also missed other features of interest!

• One model of the Solar System is shown here.

• Which features of this model are like the real thing?

• Which features of this model are unlike the real thing?

• Here is another model of the Solar System.

• Which features of this model are like the real thing?

• Which features of this model are unlike the real thing?

“Our Father in Heaven...” If God is like a Father, in what

ways is this a helpful comparison?

“Our Father in Heaven...” If God is like a Father, in what

ways is this a helpful comparison?

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

“The atom is like a solar system...” In ways is this

a helpful comparison?

“The atom is like a solar system...” In ways is this

a helpful comparison?

Similarities?

Differences?

IN SCIENCE

Model of electricity in a circuit in terms of water flowing in pipes.

Model of relationships between adult humans in terms of our understanding of chimpanzee behaviour.

IN RELIGION

Jesus’ use of Gehenna as a model for Hell.

Bread and wine modelling the body and blood of Jesus in a communion service.

OTHER MODELS TO EXPLORE

OTHER MODELS TO EXPLORE

FINFIN