--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Science, we are repeatedly told, is the…" description: "\"Science, we are repeatedly told, is the most reliable form of knowledge about the world because it is based on testable hypotheses. Religion, by contra..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd7/paul-davies-3810_contrast_science-we-are-repeatedly-told-is-the-mo_2606604.png" --- # Science, we are repeatedly told, is the most reliable form… ![“Science, we are repeatedly told, is the most reliable form of knowledge about the world because it is based on testable hypotheses. Religion, by contrast, is based on faith. The term 'doubting Thomas' well illustrates the difference.” quote by Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd7/paul-davies-3810_contrast_science-we-are-repeatedly-told-is-the-mo_2606604.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd7/paul-davies-3810_contrast_science-we-are-repeatedly-told-is-the-mo_2606604.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd7/paul-davies-3810_contrast_science-we-are-repeatedly-told-is-the-mo_2606604.png) > “Science, we are repeatedly told, is the most reliable form of knowledge about the world because it is based on testable hypotheses. Religion, by contrast, is based on faith. The term 'doubting Thomas' well illustrates the difference.” [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science relies on testable hypotheses, while religion relies on faith, highlighting differing epistemologies. **In simple terms:** Science tests ideas; religion trusts belief. Key Takeaway Recognize the limits of each worldview. Themes epistemology faith science religion Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - debates about education - interfaith dialogue - personal belief formation - policy making Key Concepts empiricism belief knowledge certainty Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance evidence and belief? - When is faith appropriate? A Different Perspective Science cannot answer moral questions; religion may lack empirical proof. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contrast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrast/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Doubting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubting/) [Doubting Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubting-thomas-213547/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Faith Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith-term-1992035/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Hypotheses Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypotheses-religion-1992034/) [Hypothesis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypothesis/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I was always the Doubting Thomas of the bunch, and I don't think I was convinced about the Allman Brothers until 'Fillmore East' hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregg-allman/i-was-always-the-doubting-thomas-of-the-bunch-and-i-don-t-think-i-was/) [Gregg Allman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregg-allman/) > [I'm a bit of a Doubting Thomas - always worrying about things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/i-m-a-bit-of-a-doubting-thomas-always-worrying-about-things/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [Faith is a term that makes ignorance sound like a virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-provenzano/faith-is-a-term-that-makes-ignorance-sound-like-a-virtue/) [Anthony Provenzano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-provenzano/) > [“The next time believers tell you that 'separation of church and state' does not appear in our founding document, tell them to stop using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-barker/the-next-time-believers-tell-you-that-separation-of-church-and-state/) [Dan Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-barker/) > [Almost all the progress ever made in human thought has been made by the Doubting Thomas's, the questioners, the challengers, the show-me crowd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/almost-all-the-progress-ever-made-in-human-thought-has-been-made-by/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [The story of Doubting Thomas is told, not so that we shall admire Thomas, but so that we can admire the other apostles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-story-of-doubting-thomas-is-told-not-so-that-we-shall-admire/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Jesus walking on water is an allegory, not fluid mechanics. God destroying the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah is a warning, not a historical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-hill/jesus-walking-on-water-is-an-allegory-not-fluid-mechanics-god/) [Kyle Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-hill/) > [“To a man without a country, He appeared a joint sojourner. To Joshua armed but afraid, He came a valiant warrior. To Moses raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/to-a-man-without-a-country-he-appeared-a-joint-sojourner-to-joshua/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [ “That kid’s name” he said putting emphasis on the word kid, is Thomas, but I’m gonna call him doubting Thomas”. \[...\] Because of this,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-fetsch/that-kid-s-name-he-said-putting-emphasis-on-the-word-kid-is-thomas/) [Benedict Fetsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-fetsch/) > [As an actor, you always think your last job is your last job, and you're always doubting yourself and worried that people will see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-marsden/as-an-actor-you-always-think-your-last-job-is-your-last-job-and-you/) [James Marsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-marsden/) > [I need to have people doubting me, because that's when you dig deep and find out what you're made of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-peavy/i-need-to-have-people-doubting-me-because-that-s-when-you-dig-deep/) [Jake Peavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-peavy/) > [In dealing with the arrogant asserter of doubt, it is not the right method to tell him to stop doubting. It is rather the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-dealing-with-the-arrogant-asserter-of-doubt-it-is-not-the-right/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The faculty of doubting is rare among men. A few choice spirits carry the germs of it in them, but these do not develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/the-faculty-of-doubting-is-rare-among-men-a-few-choice-spirits-carry/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [If you keep doubting every issue you come across in life, you will never consider any issue based on its merits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/if-you-keep-doubting-every-issue-you-come-across-in-life-you-will/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [“An atheist is someone who is disappointed in his search of god. He is a man who strongly needed god but couldn't find him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/an-atheist-is-someone-who-is-disappointed-in-his-search-of-god-he-is/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) ## More by Paul Davies > [“When I was a child, I often used to lie awake at night, in fearful anticipation of some unpleasant event the following day, such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/when-i-was-a-child-i-often-used-to-lie-awake-at-night-in-fearful/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [So how can we test the idea that the transition from nonlife to life is simple enough to happen repeatedly? The most obvious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/so-how-can-we-test-the-idea-that-the-transition-from-nonlife-to-life/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [I think if we're going to send messages to the stars then it needs a great deal of thought that it's something that should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/i-think-if-we-re-going-to-send-messages-to-the-stars-then-it-needs-a/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [Cosmologists have attempted to account for the day-to-day laws you find in textbooks in terms of fundamental 'superlaws,' but the superlaws themselves must still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/cosmologists-have-attempted-to-account-for-the-day-to-day-laws-you/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [Studying cancer could provide huge insights for astrobiologists into the nature of life itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/studying-cancer-could-provide-huge-insights-for-astrobiologists-into/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [Cancer cells come pre-programmed to execute a well-defined cascade of changes, seemingly designed to facilitate both their enhanced survival and their dissemination through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/cancer-cells-come-pre-programmed-to-execute-a-well-defined-cascade-of/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [It may seem bizarre, but in my opinion science offers a surer path to God than religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/it-may-seem-bizarre-but-in-my-opinion-science-offers-a-surer-path-to/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [“Until now, I've been writing about "now" as if it were literally an instant of time, but of course human faculties are not infinitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/until-now-i-ve-been-writing-about-now-as-if-it-were-literally-an/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [A permanent base on Mars would have a number of advantages beyond being a bonanza for planetary science and geology. If, as some evidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/a-permanent-base-on-mars-would-have-a-number-of-advantages-beyond/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [Although the elusive 'cure' may be a distant dream, understanding the true nature of cancer will enable it to be better controlled and less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/although-the-elusive-cure-may-be-a-distant-dream-understanding-the/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [Through conscious beings the universe has generated self-awareness. This can be no trivial detail, no minor byproduct of mindless, purposeless forces. We are truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/through-conscious-beings-the-universe-has-generated-self-awareness/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [The birth of science as we know it arguably began with Isaac Newton's formulation of the laws of gravitation and motion. It is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/the-birth-of-science-as-we-know-it-arguably-began-with-isaac-newton-s/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [“Can a truly absurd universe so convincingly mimic a meaningful one?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/can-a-truly-absurd-universe-so-convincingly-mimic-a-meaningful-one/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [Astronauts have been stuck in low-Earth orbit, boldly going nowhere. American attempts to kick-start a new phase of lunar exploration have stalled amid the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/astronauts-have-been-stuck-in-low-earth-orbit-boldly-going-nowhere/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [Even if we don't have a precise idea of exactly what took place at the beginning, we can at least see that the origin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/even-if-we-don-t-have-a-precise-idea-of-exactly-what-took-place-at/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) [Explore all 121 Paul Davies quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) ## More Contrast quotes > [You don't merely give over your creativity to making a film - you give over your life! 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It becomes another dimension to draw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susie-orbach/emotional-literacy-means-being-able-to-recognise-what-you-are-feeling/) [Susie Orbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susie-orbach/) > [I believe in the people of our state and making sure the voices of the people of our state are heard in Washington. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-cunningham/i-believe-in-the-people-of-our-state-and-making-sure-the-voices-of/) [Cal Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-cunningham/) > [I have always liked the contrast between being blonde and having dark features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-have-always-liked-the-contrast-between-being-blonde-and-having-dark/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [One can hardly appreciate how academia has perverted its highest tasks and "ideals" without pondering long and hard the implications of Jacques Barzun's House…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/one-can-hardly-appreciate-how-academia-has-perverted-its-highest/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [There's this one song called 'Final Warning' that I'm really excited about because I love the contrast of my vocal sounding very soothing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skylar-grey/there-s-this-one-song-called-final-warning-that-i-m-really-excited/) [Skylar Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skylar-grey/) > [Trump conducts meetings and actually tries to get something done rather than just have the meeting and rather than just announce a framework and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/trump-conducts-meetings-and-actually-tries-to-get-something-done/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [In a way, human beings have never been part of the natural order; we're not biological in the normal sense. 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Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/) [Browse all 859 Contrast quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrast/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Science, we are repeatedly told, is the most reliable form of knowledge about the world because it is based on testable hypotheses. Religion, by contrast, is based on faith. 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