Final answer:
According to Dr. Faux, science uses empirical evidence and logical reasoning to investigate the natural world and is open to testing and falsification, whereas religion involves belief in non-material phenomena and matters of faith that are beyond empirical investigation. The distinction between science and religion is a distinct development in human understanding of knowledge, emphasizing the limitations and scope of scientific methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dr. Faux highlights that science differs from religion in the way that it gains knowledge about the natural world. Science relies on empirical evidence, logical arguments, and the scientific method to test theories, which can be falsifiable and are subject to revision. This process allows science to separate fact from opinion and refine its understanding of the world. On the other hand, religion often involves belief and faith in what cannot be empirically proven or investigated by scientific methods because it concerns non-material phenomena such as morality, spirituality, and the will of the gods.
While the distinction between science and philosophy (or religion) is relatively recent, dating back to the eighteenth century, science has been prominent in technological advancements over the past 500 years. Yet, science has its limits and there are realms, such as morality and spirituality, where its methodologies do not apply. These are traditionally the domains of philosophy, religion or other cultural practices.
In contemporary society, there may be different approaches to what is considered truth; a large rock can be both a meteorite to a scientist and a messenger from the sky god to indigenous peoples. The pragmatic view would consider both perceptions as valid within their respective frameworks. The pursuit of knowledge through science is a distinctive process based on evidence and logic, aiming to provide explanations for how the natural world functions.