COGNITIVE DISSONANCE AND THE MEANING MAKING PROCESS IN THE CONTEXT OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION

Cognitive dissonance occurs in situations where there are conflicting attitudes, beliefs or behaviors, and is experienced as a psychological discomfort. In the context of meaning-making, science, and religion, cognitive dissonance helps us understand the inner conflicts people experience when faced with contradicting belief systems and how they resolve such conflicts. Through review of literature, this study sought to discuss the dissonance people experience when there is tension between scientific knowledge and religious beliefs, explain ethical implication of scientific inquiry, explore how people process the violation of shalom and explore the meaning-making and purpose-finding processes people use.