1965 Geloof en Wetenschap : Orgaan van de Christelijke vereeniging van natuur- en geneeskundigen in Nederland - pagina 250

206

G. J. SIZOO

physicist runs the risk of turning over into the haughtiness of the rationalist. Though modesty suits the physicist, he has also the right to reject an underestimation of his knowledge. Such an underestimating is found in that kind of argumentation, sometimes brought forward in discussions about the value and limits of physical knowledge, which says in a discriminating sense, that it is „only" and „nothing but" human knowledge, referring to nature „as it seems to be to us", whereas, the „truth which lies behind the phenomena", the „real essence of things" must always remain hidden to us. Physical knowledge may then at the very best be called useful or workable knowledge, it remains hypothetical and therefore uncertain knowledge, and as far as it is searching for truth, the final answer must be an „ignorabimus". As a final conclusion of a discussion about the nature of physical knowledge, such a statement may sound very modest and may leave the impression of a mystic or even religious attitude. Nevertheless, in such a conclusion there is a touch of human arrogance, the arrogance of man, who from the very beginning of his existence, has been keen on overstepping the limits of his state of being creature, although he may be prepared to see the impossibility in doing this and therefore assume an attitude of resignation. There is indeed a truth about nature which man cannot acquire in the intellectual intercourse with the phenomena, but only through his relation to his Creator. There is no other way to find this truth but by assenting in faith to the revelation in the Word of God. It is the truth about the createdness of man and world, and it is just the faithful assenting to this truth, which should prevent us from seeking more in physical knowledge than is included in the intracreational relationship between man and his environment. The christian discussion about the nature and value of physical knowledge will always have to find its norm and its conclusion in the confession „Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev. 4 :11).

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen