Interest in the role of spirituality in healthcare and medicine, as in numerous other fields, has heightened in the recent past. The resurgence and appreciation of spirituality in medicine has especially been happening where holistic approaches to healthcare are involved (Shelly & Miller, 2006) . Despite this renewed interest in the intricacies of spirituality in healthcare and medicine, the interaction between science and religion or spirituality is characterized by an ingrained tension between the two. Patients’ best interests, as a consequence of this schism, have not been met. Notably, this tension between science and spirituality is a reflection of differing underlying worldviews more than it is a reflection of an inherent incompatibility between science and religion (Shelly & Miller, 2006) .
For most people, their perceptions of reality are shaped by their worldviews including religion. Everything falls within a person’s worldview, including their views on knowledge, its nature, its acquisition process, utilization and effects (Meilaender, 2005) . Regarding the nature of knowledge, there are two predominant beliefs: scientism and relativism. Scientism and relativism are the two beliefs upon which the perceived tension between science and spirituality is hinged . Scientism posits that science is the only way to acquire the knowledge of reality. On the other hand, absolute truth is non-existent according to relativism. All claims of reality are therefore relative to other individuals or cultures (Shelly & Miller, 2006) .
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Based on this tension, I intimate that healthcare can medicine ought to be defined by an ethos of scientism and relativism. A balance, however, should be struck between these two worldviews. Striking such a balance requires the recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of these two beliefs in addressing everyday questions and issues arising. In its weakness, for instance, scientism which deals with mere facts rather than normative claims finds itself at crossroads when moral and ethical judgements need to be made. Moral and ethical issues such as suicide and euthanasia are assessed on ethical principles which include autonomy, beneficence and justice (Meilaender, 2005) . Since moral and ethical decisions are based on evaluative normative claims which have a place in relativism, also to be embraced in healthcare and medicine should be the belief of relativism while acknowledging the important roles it plays in spirituality. In so doing, the chasm between science and religion may be bridged, therefore serving the patient’s best interests. For instance, Christian spirituality acknowledges science as a subset of knowledge.
References
Meilaender, G. (2005). Bioethics: A Primer for Christians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2006). Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing. InterVarsity Press.
