This blog post examines how religion and science can coexist and complement each other in modern society through Yuval Noah Harari’s perspective.
Yuval Noah Harari on Science and Religion
Yuval Noah Harari begins Chapter 5 by comparing traditional myths or religions—stories of the past—with science—stories of the present. He states that the emergence of scientific theories ushered in a world different from the past, where traditional myths held sway. While this might suggest myths were replaced by scientific facts, Harari argues that science has instead strengthened the control of intersubjective reality, paradoxically making some myths and religions stronger than ever. This highlights that the relationship between science and religion is not merely adversarial; it can sometimes be complementary. While science focuses on human curiosity and practical problem-solving, religion has fulfilled human moral and spiritual needs and strengthened social solidarity. Ultimately, the relationship between science and religion becomes ambiguous, leading to a redefinition of religion. He defined religion not as belief in supernatural forces or in God, but as something that confers superhuman legitimacy upon human social structures.
Yuval Noah Harari then noted two interpretations of the relationship between religion and science: one viewing them as adversaries, with science having overwhelmed religion, and another seeing them as entirely separate. However, he refuted the former argument, asserting that science requires religion’s assistance in explaining human behaviors it cannot account for, in order to create well-functioning institutions. Furthermore, regarding the latter view, he countered by arguing that religion actually maintains a close relationship with science because it provides ethical judgments that contain factual claims. He contends that people mistakenly believe science and religion pursue different truths, but in reality, neither is truly concerned with truth itself, making it easy for them to compromise, coexist, and cooperate. This suggests that in modern society, religion and science can coexist while respecting each other’s domains. Both domains have evolved alongside human development, and modern individuals are seeking a balance between scientific logic and religious belief. Can we then accept Yuval Noah Harari’s definition of religion? Furthermore, is the relationship between science and religion a friendly one?
Definition of Religion
As mentioned earlier, Yuval Noah Harari defines religion as ‘something that confers superhuman legitimacy on human social structures’. Is this definition truly suitable for the term ‘religion’?
First, the dictionary definition of ‘religion’ is ‘a cultural system that resolves the anguish of human life and pursues its ultimate meaning through belief in a god or supernatural absolute being or force’. Yuval Noah Harari argues that this definition is problematic, stating that religion was created by humans and that defining religion is not about the existence or non-existence of a god, but rather its social function. However, I believe this is a flawed counterargument. While it is true that religion was created by humans, it was created based on a god, supernatural absolute being, or power. It seeks to guide human society onto the right path based on the teachings of this god or absolute being. Religion has played a vital role in helping humans pursue inner peace and a moral life. In this sense, religion transcends mere social function; it is a process of posing profound questions about human existence and the meaning of life, and seeking answers. For example, in Christianity, while the Bible was written by humans, it was based on the teachings or beliefs of God or Jesus. It provides guidance on how individuals should live and the direction human society should develop.
Furthermore, I believe the definition proposed by Yuval Noah Harari encompasses an extremely broad scope. If we define religion as something that confers superhuman legitimacy, then the term itself could include a nation’s system, ideology, or even the state itself. According to Yuval Noah Harari’s definition, religion serves to explain actions we perform that cannot be scientifically explained, thus making its scope infinitely broad. Therefore, I believe a more appropriate definition is the one provided by the National Institute of the Korean Language: ‘a cultural system that resolves the anguish of human life and pursues the ultimate meaning of existence through belief in a god or supernatural absolute being or power.’ The definition of religion can shift according to the values of a given society and era, and today we encounter diverse religious perspectives and new interpretations. Nevertheless, the core elements of religion can still be seen as the belief in the sacred and the process of exploring the ultimate purpose of human existence.
The Relationship Between Science and Religion
Yuval Noah Harari argued that religion and science are not separate concepts but complementary. That is, religion provides legitimacy to phenomena science cannot explain, filling gaps, while examining religious doctrines reveals factual statements within ethical principles, allowing science to support religious doctrines. One might disagree with this claim. For example, Darwin’s theory of evolution, published in the 19th century, directly contradicted the biblical account of divine creation, leading to the perception that science threatened religion. However, in reality, evolutionary theory only refuted a very small part of the Bible, and other biblical content was not significantly impacted because it is supported by existing scientific evidence. Furthermore, as Yuval Noah Harari argues, all religious narratives contain not only ethical content but also practical guidance and factual statements. Science either refutes or supports these, driving their development. Therefore, I believe Yuval Noah Harari’s argument regarding the relationship between science and religion is correct. Historically, science and religion have clashed while simultaneously influencing each other. In modern society, they show potential for cooperation by recognizing each other’s limitations and complementing them. Thus, humanity has lived with religion for a long time, centered around it. However, with the rapid advancement of science, religion’s importance has diminished and its meaning has become uncertain. Nevertheless, science and religion have positively influenced each other to reach the present day, which is why we exist today.
