Can Science Explain Everything?
The Limits of Material Explanation
Opening Prayer
Lord,
You created the world with order and reason.
Help me think clearly about what science can explain
and what lies beyond it.
Keep my mind open to truth in all its forms.
Amen.
Part One
What the Church Teaches
The Church does not oppose science.
In fact, she teaches that reason and faith come from the same God.
The universe is intelligible because it was created by an intelligent Creator.
Scientific study is a good thing.
It explores how the world works.
It observes patterns.
It tests hypotheses.
It builds models based on evidence.
The Church affirms this.
But she also teaches that science does not answer every question.
Science asks:
How does this happen?
What are the physical causes?
What are the measurable effects?
Faith and philosophy ask:
Why does anything exist at all?
Why is there order rather than chaos?
Why do human beings seek meaning?
Why does moral obligation feel binding?
These are different kinds of questions.
Pause and Reflect
Have I ever assumed that science explains everything?
Do I confuse “how” questions with “why” questions?
What kinds of questions cannot be measured in a laboratory?
Part Two
The Claim of Scientism
Some argue that science is the only reliable path to knowledge.
This view is sometimes called scientism.
It claims:
“If something cannot be tested scientifically, it is meaningless.”
But examine that claim.
Can the statement
“Only science gives real knowledge”
itself be proven scientifically?
No.
It is a philosophical claim, not a scientific one.
So the claim defeats itself.
Science is powerful, but it has limits.
Science cannot measure:
Beauty.
Justice.
Moral obligation.
The value of a human life.
Science can describe brain activity.
It cannot measure love.
Science can analyse chemical reactions.
It cannot determine whether cruelty is wrong.
To say that only science gives truth
is to misunderstand what science is.
Consider
Can science prove that lying is wrong?
Can science explain why humans seek purpose?
Can science answer why something exists rather than nothing?
Part Three
The Question of Existence
Science studies the universe.
But science presupposes that the universe exists.
The deeper question remains:
Why is there something rather than nothing?
Every scientific explanation assumes:
Matter exists.
Laws of nature exist.
Order exists.
But science cannot explain why these exist in the first place.
If everything that begins to exist has a cause,
then the universe — which began — must also have a cause.
That cause cannot be material,
because matter itself began.
That cause must be outside space and time.
This is not a “gap” in scientific knowledge.
It is a metaphysical question.
The Church teaches that this cause is God.
Not as a substitute for science,
but as the necessary ground of existence.
Reflect Carefully
Have I ever assumed that “we will eventually explain everything”?
Even if we explain more processes,
does that remove the deeper question of existence?
Part Four
Science and Faith Together
Many great scientists have believed in God.
The study of nature often strengthens belief
because it reveals order and intelligibility.
If the universe were random and chaotic,
science would not work.
The fact that mathematical laws describe physical reality
is itself remarkable.
Why should the universe be understandable?
Why should human reason correspond to the structure of reality?
The Catholic answer is:
Because both come from the same Creator.
Science explains mechanisms.
Faith explains meaning.
Science explains processes.
Faith explains purpose.
They do not compete.
They operate at different levels.
If someone says:
“Science has disproved God,”
ask:
Which scientific experiment tested whether God exists?
God is not a material object within the universe.
He is the reason the universe exists at all.
Quiet Reflection
Sit quietly for a moment.
Consider the vastness of the universe.
Now ask yourself:
Does order suggest intelligence?
Does existence itself require explanation?
Remain in silence.
This Week
Choose one:
• Reflect on why mathematical laws describe reality so precisely.
• Notice when someone claims science explains everything and examine the assumption.
• Pray simply: “Lord, help me see clearly.”
Choose deliberately.
Closing Prayer
Lord,
You are the source of all truth.
Guard me from confusion.
Help me respect science
without reducing reality to matter alone.
Lead me to deeper understanding.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 