Deriving Joy From An
Understanding of Science

In an effort to explain the pleasure I get from science, I have often told the story about a conversation I once had with a religious individual.

Years ago I used to backpack frequently in the Uintah Mountains, studying and taking pictures of the area. As a student in the University of Utah Geography Department, these trips served my needs in several ways. They were welcome excursions away from civilization and into nature, they were good experiences in self-sufficiency and survival, and they were also a way for me to gather information for undergraduate projects. My interests were those of a student of physical geography: basic geology, recent geomorphologic events (the last glacial period) and the current alpine environment. As might be expected, I gained a fair amount of knowledge of this area. I particularly enjoyed discovering the evidence of the last glaciation and also the factors that influence the upper timberline.

One summer I had planned a trip to a place called Naturalist Basin. I was alone the first day and evening, but a friend was to meet me the next day. He was bringing a troop of Boy Scouts and a few other adults to help supervise the Scouts.

I was fly fishing along the shore of Lake Jordan when one of the scout leaders came up to me and we started to chat. I told him I was a Geography major at the University of Utah. I also remember that I was eager to tell him how I found great joy in my knowledge of the dynamics of the area and felt closer to nature when I was up in the mountains observing their beauty, and, that an understanding of how many of the features were formed by the last glaciation helped to heighten this appreciation.

What I remember best is his response. I was somewhat surprised when he said that he didn't want to know about all the scientific stuff because it would ruin his appreciation of God's creation. After that, the conversation kind of trailed off and I was left alone to shake my head in amazement at what had just occurred.

I would still expect this response from a great many religious people in the world. I believe that many stick their heads in the sand and ignore knowledge that might challenge what they believe, especially if that information comes with the proof and facts that science brings to light.

The reason I'm relating this is not to argue about creationism versus science, but rather to point out that dogma and faith are not the only way to garner great joy.

Imagine, if you will, this scene: It is a beautiful late spring day in the High Uintahs. I am taking a hike and listening to some favorite classical music pieces. When the trail reaches the top of a pass and is about to descend down into another drainage system, I break away from the beaten path and start up the slope of one of the mountains that flank the pass. Climbing as far as is possible without having to do any serious climbing, I soon reach an elevation of about twelve thousand feet. Here I sit down, eat my lunch and look out on the vast vista surrounding me.

The slope of the area curves around fairly uniformly from a north-facing to a west-facing slope in line with the pass below and continues around until it is a south-facing slope. This all takes place in about half of a mile. But the really interesting thing about this transition is that, in this short distance, one can observe the change in plant species on the North Slope with succulent plant types covering the rocks and poor soil nearly like a carpet. As you move around to the south-facing slope the flora changes and thins out until there is a mostly sparse, high desert like foliage. But this is only one aspect of the vista. At this elevation, when a wisp of a cloud goes past, you become aware of how fast they are moving. Sometimes you are engulfed in their cold mist for a moment or two.

This beautiful vista is not only close at hand, but also allows you to look out on the distant features and observe many other wonders of nature. The glacially carved features are apparent in the way the ice had smoothed and rounded most of the features of this mountain range. The observant eye will also see that the trees seem to end abruptly at about eleven thousand feet. These are only a few of the things that can be viewed and studied when hiking through this alpine mountain environment.

When I sit on this slope gazing out at all these wonders, and listening to Mozart, the feeling of closeness to nature is enormous, and it is enhanced by the scientific knowledge I have gained that makes me aware of the processes in nature that have made this area what it is.

For me, it is this knowledge that makes the experience so very enjoyable and satisfying.