What Does It Mean to Speak of Contemplation in the Natural Sciences? An Empirical Approach.
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| Title: | What Does It Mean to Speak of Contemplation in the Natural Sciences? An Empirical Approach. |
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| Authors: | Ip, Pui Him (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science. Jun2026, Vol. 61 Issue 2, p702-722. 21p. |
| Subjects: | Contemplation, Empirical research, Theory of knowledge, Scientific method, Life sciences, Medieval civilization, Sociological research |
| Abstract: | Monks contemplate, philosophers contemplate, but do natural scientists contemplate? This article proposes an empirical approach to this question. It argues that a bridge needs to be built between the vocabulary of contemplation in classical sources of spirituality and contemporary scientific experience. While contemplation is a well-studied phenomenon, this is primarily restricted to contemplation as a spiritual or philosophical practice. A methodological foundation is needed to establish what it means to speak of contemplation in the natural sciences. This article selects an epistemologically and cognitively orientated approach to contemplation found in the Christian medieval tradition and applies it to analyze and interpret the data from 104 in-depth interviews conducted as part of a recent international sociological study of physicists and biologists from four countries (India, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States). Based on this analysis, the article offers a preliminary classification of the different kinds of contemplation embedded within contemporary scientific experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science is the property of Open Library of Humanities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Monks contemplate, philosophers contemplate, but do natural scientists contemplate? This article proposes an empirical approach to this question. It argues that a bridge needs to be built between the vocabulary of contemplation in classical sources of spirituality and contemporary scientific experience. While contemplation is a well-studied phenomenon, this is primarily restricted to contemplation as a spiritual or philosophical practice. A methodological foundation is needed to establish what it means to speak of contemplation in the natural sciences. This article selects an epistemologically and cognitively orientated approach to contemplation found in the Christian medieval tradition and applies it to analyze and interpret the data from 104 in-depth interviews conducted as part of a recent international sociological study of physicists and biologists from four countries (India, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States). Based on this analysis, the article offers a preliminary classification of the different kinds of contemplation embedded within contemporary scientific experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 05912385 |
| DOI: | 10.16995/zygon.26255 |
