Dan Browns Treatment of Science and Religion - Essay Example

Dan Brown’s Treatment of Science and Religion Introduction In the novel Angels and Demons, Dan Brown narrates a plot that science is used to betray religion. The author tries to emphasize that the religion relies on belief and science relies on materialistic proof. The aspect of science in this novel is anti-matter. The symbol of religion is Roman Catholic Church (Vatican City) and the symbol of science is illuminati. However, the author tries to plot the illuminati, which tries to use the science to destroy the Vatican City as evil. However, he does not try to prove that the science is evil, but he tries to state that it may turn into evil in case of the person using it is filled with evil thoughts. However, he tries to establish the same thing with religion also as Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca is the real villain in the film who plans the entire plot to be the next pope. He even kills the scientist who tries to establish link between science and god. The idea of Camerlengo might be the fact that when the science finds god at a time, the domination of religious heads on the common people may end. Unable to bear that he unleashed terror by killing the scientist with that thought and tries to be Pope with the help of his demonstration of extra ordinary powers like message from god. Hence, Dan Brown tries to establish from an interesting murder and destruction as well as investigative story that both science and religion act as evil in the hands of evil people and can do well in the hands of good people. 1 Dan Brown tries to depict the religion and science as tools in the hands of good and evil persons who can use them for benevolent and violent purposes. When we consider Langdon simultaneously with Camerlengo, the person related to science (Symbology is also a science and Langdon is not a religious person) has helped the religion by avoiding Camerlengo from becoming Pope by revealing the evil plots of him on Vatican City. Hence, from the characters of Langdon and Camerlengo, Dan Brown tries to put forth the fact that either religion or science will be useful to mankind if the people using them are benevolent and noble minded. Being an ‘Illuminati’ Langdon did not cooperate with the extinct organization’s evil intentions, but Camerlengo did it for his selfish motives. Hence, the application of religion or science can be useful to the people when the proponents are not selfish and using their religion or science for common good of mankind. Though the four elements that illuminati believes ‘Earth, Air, Fire and Water are creations of god they become as a tool in the hands of Hassasin, the executor of the evil wills of Janus; the master of illuminati. Hence, it can be understood that the religion or science is part of the human thinking and is connected with the cosmos, from which we draw energy for our deeds. Hence, the plot in the novel demonstrates the eternal struggle between science and religion. Struggle Between Science and Religion As the struggle between science and religion is eternal and the struggle is as old as the science. The science came to the fore or took birth, when the systematic though in religious institutions has been disturbed. According to Einstein (1941), the science is the systematic thought of the perceptible phenomena of this world. As he mentions that science is posterior reconstruction of existence by the process of conceptualization, the religion, which relies on belief and devotion, struggles with the fundamentals and theories of science. However, science is understood by all people in a uniform manner, but religion is not like that. Different people understand religion and god in different ways and Einstein explains it as coming to the best of an individual’s ability, liberating self from the fetters of selfish desires and preoccupied thoughts and beliefs. However, when the so called religions people; for example Camerlengo in ‘Demons and Angels’ is a part of religious system, as he did not liberalize himself from fetters of selfish desires and preoccupied thoughts, the struggle between two systems (science and religion) occurs and one can be misused by other in the course of the struggle. However, to make good overcome the evil in that struggle, one who is religious in heart and scientific in mind (person similar to Langdon) should come to the fore to solve the issue that caused the struggle. As the religion relies on values and beliefs and science on materialistic proof, the value based science will help the people to live in peace in a religious atmosphere with people having scientific mind. Einstein opines that the conflict or struggle between religion and science may exist due to the vision of the religion and science according to the values and goals of mankind. As each understands the values and goals in a different manner, the conflict arises between the people following science and religion. Another reason for the eternal struggle between science and religion is that the science can ascertain what is but cannot tell about what should be. On the other hand religion deals with evaluations of human thought and action and cannot reasonably talk of facts and relationship between them. As science talks about relationship between facts and religion tells about the evolution and development of human thought, the persons representing them contradict each other demanding answer in their own way and style of functioning. Hence the struggle and conflict between science and religion is a fatal error, whenever it occurs. Though science strives for truth, the thought of getting truth has been derived from religion. Even at the above-mentioned point, the reason for struggle or conflict between science and religion is the concept of god. Though, both talk about truth, the perceptions of religion and science in case of god are not same and contradict each other resulting in conflict. In fact, the science does not accept the concept of god as there is no relationship between facts is available universally. As god is a fantasy according to science and belief in case of religion, the struggle continues based on this thought. Using the above perception in the Novel, ‘Angels and Demons’, Camerlengo will state that he got a message from god about the anti matter box and reveals it from the secret place. As he used the belief of people to deceive them by bringing out the box he planted, the proponents of science argue that the above concept is a tool in hand of the people who want to cheat the common people. The reason for the above conception is that the science makes a man to be imbued with an ordered regularity and thus results in firmness in conviction that there is no room left by the side of the ordered regularity, when something that does not fit into the order cannot be proved. However, when the science tries to put the concept of god and religion in the same order, there is a chance of the conflict and struggle depicted in the novel of Dan Brown. 2 Treatment of Science in the Novel The treatment of science in Novel ‘Angels and Demons’ will be in a manner that tries to avoid the usage of it for destructive purposes and how evil minded people use it for their selfish motives. By revealing the plot of the Camerlengo in the Novel at last, Dan Brown opines that the science can be used by religious persons to establish their dominance by making people ignore about developments of science. In the above context, Dan Brown treats science as a tool that can help in achieving common good but making it not possible, when the results of research are in the hands of evil minds. However, according to Nidhal Guessoum (2008), the novel depicts the science in a shoddy way as Brown narrates about creation of antimatter, which exists already but unknown to mankind. Hence, the phrase ‘creation of antimatter’ in Dan Brown’s Novel is wrong in that sense and one cannot term the wrong as a fiction. Though, in case of understanding the above wrong as fiction, the beautiful genius vittoria, daughter of Kohler and aide of Langdon in the investigation terms antimatter as ‘yin’ to the matters ‘yang’. Thus the above context understands the antimatter in negative sense, which is not relevant. As the presence of antimatter may result in destruction, the fiction in the novel should find (a thought based on fiction), why the antimatter can be destructive and the universe remains stable in case of its anonymity but will be destructed when it was found. Hence, according to Dan Brown in his novel, the anti matter is destructive only when it is discovered (Brown terms created) but not destructive when it is not found by mankind. However, Nidhal Guessoum even criticizes the statement of vittoria that anti matter is a source of energy for the future. The two points of fiction presented by Dan Brown in his novel contradict each other. First he tells that the anti matter annihilates equal amount of matter and at last vittoria tells that the antimatter is a source of unlimited energy. However, there is no argument or the point that enables the antimatter to remain as a source of energy instead of annihilating the matter. However, one point is clear that the plot in the novel is religion and science (the persons representing them) making efforts to dominate one another. When coming to the treatment of science, the murdered scientist in the novel, who is projected as a benevolent one tried to fuse the science and religion. Hence, Dan Brown predicts the ultimate goal of both science and religion is same and can support each other. As the author quotes “The union would have nullified the church’s claim as the sole vessel through which man could understand” Indicates that he want to project the science as a tool that can attain goal of religion also. Dan Brown talks about divine intervention in scientific terms of ‘multiverse’ hypothesis and simultaneously expresses his opinion that the projection of science as an alternative to religion is not easy. However, Dan Brown makes clear that the domination of religion on science is no more as it is in the times of church burning scientists. As science is established with the facts it revealed, it has carved its own cliché against the religion. In the context of mentioning situations like the refusal of murdered scientist’s parents in his childhood who refuse to allow doctors to give their son medicines and the consequent anti religious sentiments developed in the scientist. In addition to above aspects, Dan Brown tries to express that the science is useful in finding the meaning in life and nature. 3 While thinking about the nature and behavior of antimatter, the description in the book ignores some realities and limitations do exist right now. Till date, scientists are now sure about how to carry and contain antimatter, if it was discovered. However, Dan Brown in his novel, ‘Angels and Demons’ explored the thought of storing it and making it into a bomb, which can be set to explode at a particular time. This means, the scientists should have control on annihilation of antimatter and matter, which is impossible till date. In addition to that the scientists produced only hundreds of anti hydrogen atoms. However, that takes billions of years (according to information on website of ‘European Organization for Nuclear Research) to fill a balloon with anti hydrogen gas. Hence, the antimatter contained in the novel is a pure fiction and Dan Brown mentioned about the methods that can contain antimatter, but they are the methods that are in persuasion of scientists for carrying small amounts of antimatter. However, it is not possible to carry a large amount of antimatter (the content mentioned in the novel) with the methods mentioned by Dan Brown in the novel. Hence, it can be termed that Dan Brown used science in his novel as a tool that can even used by the religious people for their selfish deeds. In that sense, Dan Brown used science as an institution above the religion as science did not use religion for its domination over mankind in his Novel. 4 In addition to that Dan Brown tries to depict the antimatter as an ultimate source of energy. Though there are some comments that Dan Brown did not explain the concepts of fiction in his novel, he tries to talk about the energy sources that science is giving to mankind. In his interview on his own Website, ‘danbrown.com’, he opines that the antimatter is the ultimate source of energy. In his opinion the antimatter is 1, 00,000 times more powerful than rocket fuel. However, his claims do not have materialistic proof as scientists did not create the antimatter of the volume mentioned in his novel. The above talk does not tell about the accuracy of his claims but tells about his opinions on science that helps the mankind. Hence, while we consider about the treatment of science in the novel, it has been represented in a positive manner that talks about converting annihilation into energy transmission. He talks about the matter/antimatter conversion, which is also known as annihilation. However, his claim that ‘CERN’ is producing antimatter for future energy resources did not have any proof, the above opinion of Dan Brown about antimatter in his novel talks about his thoughts on science as a source of energy for mankind. In the above context he expresses his opinion that the science can be used to create the new technology that helps in making the people live in comforts as well as the deadly weapons that can destruct the mankind. 5 Treatment of Religion The treatment of religion in Dan Brown’s novel is not up to the mark as he put the science in readers’ minds. In creating the character of Langdon, he tries to put religion in the frame of science as he is a professor of religious symbology. As Langdon is a Hero character in the Novel who solves the problem and studies the religious subject on the lines of science, Dan Brown tries to depict his character along with the murdered scientist Vetra as both are thinking religion in the lines of science. Author talks about the decoration and the state of Langdon’s home filled with religious symbols, which he uses for his study of religious symbology. In that context he represents the religion as part of science and study of religion is a science. Consequently, Dan Brown creates an image by his narration that the religion cannot exist without science. Dan Brown puts some thoughts that Langdon expresses while sitting along early in the morning after he gets a call from some unknown person (Kohler). He thinks about god’s people (religious people) waiting for messiah and who are persistent as hell. However, Dan Brown tries to depict the same hell in the religion as he kills four characters regarding religious people and only two characters relating to science in his novel. As a result, the reader gets an opinion that the religion cannot exist without science. 6 In addition to the above things, Dan Brown narrates the feelings of Hassassin when he accepts the assignments of unknown caller (Camerlengo). He thinks about the Christian armies killing his ancestors blaming them unclean and destroying their civilization. As he remembers that the remaining members of destroyed civilization acted as hassassins, which means a man who commits murder and enjoying Hashish. In the above depiction, Dan Brown narrates two faces of religion and reminds that there are number of faces for the religion. Hence, the illuminati (the villain in this novel) has also had a religion before its destruction by the crusading Christian armies in the past. Hence, Dan Brown talks about different faces of religion that can act as good and bad. Hence, he uses science as a tool to make good religion prevail over bad religion (Religion of Illuminati before the destruction). The above aspect is important in the novel as he represents the religious people using science as a tool to destroy another religion and the people of target religion are unable to defend themselves without the help of science. Hence, the treatment of religion in Dan Brown’s Novel is just below the treatment received by science. 7 In addition to that Brown depicts the illuminati as a representative as science in the past and which is trying to destroy religion. As illuminati also had a religion before its destruction and tried to destroy the religion using science after Catholics dominated their religion, it is clear that illuminati resorted to science to destroy a religion that destructed their ancestors. Hence, the grudge of loosing religion made them to use science to destroy another religion. The same is in the case of Camerlengo, who used his existing religious status to manipulate the science and to work for his ancestral revenge. As the religion relies on faith and values, the science that is based on facts can be used for good and evil by the religious personalities. As a result, four religious personalities who are aspiring to be a Pope die in the hands of Hassasin and remain as victims for the revenge of another religious personality, who is their colleague. In another context of down grading religious people, the hero of the book Langdon states that he does not rely on miracles as he is an academic. In this context, Dan Brown tries to depict that the religion depends on science for its existence as miracles did not solve the problem due to illuminati in the Novel ‘Angels and Demons’. Even at the end of the book, Langdon and Vittoria decide to hide the events occurred from public to save the dignity of the religion. Hence, Dan Brown tries to represent the religious dignity in the minds of the people as a result of concealing the truth and facts in the history. 8 As the author predicts more demons in religion and angels in science, the treatment of religion is in the line that the religion can be a tool of destruction by using science if the evil people are placed in dignified positions in religion. In that sense he tries to depict the evil in the religious people and expresses the necessity of removing evil people from the religion to cleanse it. He demonstrates the problem of human psyche when Camerlengo exhibits the pseudo prophecy in front of watching world. In the above context, Dan Brown tries to state that the religion based on miracles thrive on the peoples’ willingness to accept supernatural explanations before looking deeper for the facts. The above-mentioned cause prompted Camerlengo to exploit the religious believers and scientists’ achievements for his personal achievements and grudges. He tries to destroy the Catholic Church with anti matter time bomb and successfully pretends that he got a message from the god about the antimatter. With the use of Science fiction, Dan Brown tried to up held the need of moral values in religious people and the necessity of consciousness in the people who believe the religion. However, in the course of narration using science fiction like anti matter and Mach 25 plane, the real treatment of religion did not come to the fore as reader feels thrill rather than grasping the essence of treatment of religion the novel. As a whole the treatment of religion in the Novel is to express the lack of morality in the Clergy and lack of questioning attitude in the people regarding religious issues. 9 Purpose of the Book In addition to the questioning the attitude in the people who believe in religion, basically the book is a thriller, action packed novel and a plot that depicts the struggle between science and religion as a war. As a whole, the book expresses the noble minds of science to protect the status of a religion as an institution. It inherently expresses the view that the science and religion are interdependent as both of them search for the truth in different ways. Science searches for the truth in a materialistic and an orderly manner that is based on axioms, facts that are the results of various experiments. However, in contrast science though recognizes the materialistic facts, depends on value based activities and thinking to search the truth (god). One more contrast is that the religion considers god as the ultimate truth and in science there is no such ultimate truth that can be recognized or to be felt. The number of truths increases in science until the ultimate truth is found with the experiments done continuously. In the Novel ‘Angels and Demons’, Dan Brown uses a truth (antimatter ) found in science used by the destruction of the religious institution and another person of science tries to save the religious institution. However, a religious person (Camerlengo) who planted the antimatter bomb reveals it by telling that he got message from god about it and wants to be a Pope. Though, the plot’s outline depicts the struggle between science and religion transforming into war, the war is between the two groups of science who are working on the basis of good and evil thoughts and achievements (Langdon with CERN and Camerlengo and Hassassini with Illuminati). Hence, Dan Brown depicts that the religion is a necessity for humanity and science is necessary for protecting that institution from evil forces that use the science for destructive purposes. Science and Religion in Reality The important question arises after above discussion about ‘Angels and Demons’ is “Why the disputes between Science and Religion are so persistent?” The significance of the disputes is that they are irresolvable and give rise to occasions for emotional reactions. The basic reason is that the indulgence of religion from the days of punishing Galileo is that it took the position of deciding the truth in number of cases, which differ from its field of activity. Instead of confining to spirituality, the religion in times of Galileo resorted to talk about the materialistic proofs and calculations. As the theories and proofs, which mankind got for Heliocentric theory are against the religion, the growth of science sidelined the religious institutions making them confined to moral and valued based issues. When spirituality combined with moral and value based issues, the context of miracles comes to the fore, which is not accepted by Science making ground for another type of struggle that is different from the type of dispute at the time of Galileo. As there is a chance for occurrence of different type of dispute in the future that results in confrontation between science and religion, the occasion like the plot mentioned in ‘Angels and Demons’ can be considered as one of the types of the disputes that may occur between science and religion in future. As in the case of Galileo, the claim of religion proved to be wrong in the future and the same thing happened in case of religion in ‘Angles and Demons’, as Camerlengo’s intuition proved to be wrong due to the video tape furnished by Kohler. Hence, in reality, the religious personalities who try to safeguard their social status in the society try to bluff the people in the name of god. Hence, the murdered scientist’s view of science and religion that meet at a final point of truth can be a focus of the solutions that are capable of minimizing the disputes between Science and Religion. 10 Conclusion As both science and religion agree on ultimate truth but differ in the way to attain, one can conclude that as long as the differences between the ways and means of science and religion exist, the struggle also exists. However, noble minds in religion should take the help of science for the materialistic proofs and should help the people regarding moral and spiritual purposes. Simultaneously, science should not question the moral authority and valued based spirituality of religion as long as it did not interfere in the order and proofs of the science. The afore-mentioned aspect can be an important tool to minimize the disputes between science and religion as it draws a clear line between the activities of science and religion. References Albert Einstein, 1941, Science and Religion in ‘Science, Philosophy and Religion, A Symposium’, Retrieved on 12th October 2008 from Amazon.com, 2008, Editorial Review, Retrieved on 16th October from < http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Demons-Dan-Brown/dp/0671027360> Blackwell, Richard J. (1998). Science, Religion & Authority : Lessons from the Galileo Affair. Milwaukee, WI, USA: Marquette University Press. Dan Brown, Interview, 2001, Interview Retrieved on 16th October 2008 from http://www.danbrown.com/novels/angels_demons/interview.html European Organization for Nuclear Research, 2008, Angels and Demons, Retrieved on 14th October 2008 from Nidhal Guessoum, 2008, Science and Religion in Dan Brown’s ‘Angels and Demons’, Science and Religion in Islam, Volume 4, Retrieved on 13th October from Reading Group Guides, 2008, Review and Excerpts, Retrieved on 16th October from Simon & Schuster, 2000, An Excerpt from Angels & Demons, danbrown.com, Article Retrieved on 10th October from http://www.danbrown.com/novels/angels_demons/plot.html Scott Klarr, 2008, Book Review of ‘Angels and Demons’, Retrieved on 17th October 2008 from Simon & Schuster, 2000, An Excerpt from Angels & Demons, danbrown.com, Article Retrieved on 10th October from http://www.danbrown.com/novels/angels_demons/excerpt.html Read More