Ep 5. Contact: Science versus Religion

In season 1 episode 5 of Sci-Phi: Science Fiction as Philosophy, titled "Contact: Science versus Religion," the show explores the tension between scientific inquiry and religious belief.

The episode begins by examining the story of Contact by Carl Sagan, in which a scientist discovers evidence of extraterrestrial life and struggles to reconcile her scientific discoveries with her religious upbringing. The show uses this story as a jumping-off point to explore the broader question of whether religion and science are compatible or at odds with each other.

To explore this question, the show brings in a number of experts in both science and religion. They discuss topics such as the role of faith in scientific inquiry, the limits of human knowledge, and the possibility of finding meaning in a universe without a god.

Throughout the episode, the show draws on a number of other science fiction stories that explore these themes. For example, they discuss the Star Trek episode "Who Watches the Watchers," in which the crew of the Enterprise must deal with a primitive society that has mistaken their technology for divine intervention. They also discuss Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End, in which aliens arrive on Earth and fundamentally challenge the religious beliefs of humanity.

Ultimately, the show does not attempt to resolve the tension between science and religion. Rather, it encourages viewers to think critically about these issues and to consider how science fiction can help us explore complex philosophical questions.