Man of Science, Man of Faith

[The Wizard]

I was watching the dvds for this episode and the producer people said that the title was actually mainly aimed at Jack's transformation from a man of science to a man of faith, rather than the differences between Locke and Jack...

[Losty]

[The Wizard]

that's right!

[Sawyer_Rocks]

Hang on, no way Jack is a man of faith!

[Him]

Locke: That's why you and I don't see eye-to-eye sometimes, Jack - because you're a man of science.

Jack: Yeah, and what does that make you?

Locke: Me? Well, I'm a man of faith.


Are you actually telling me the above conversation has nothing to do with the title? :P

[The Wizard]

they said it is partly to do with that but not fully...

[D-Roc]

I totally hear ya Wiz!

I agree with you (or the producer ), in that this episode and indeed much of S2 is about Jack's transition from a man of science, rationale and tangibility...into a man of faith, hope and trust. I mean, MOSMOF encapsulated that brilliantly - we start the episode flashback with Jack, a cold and clinical surgeon..a man who has found it better to not get involved emotionally in his profession. Then, Sarah comes along..at first he resists the temptation to try..to believe in achieving the impossible..but with a little help from his father - "You gotta have hope, Jack" (or something along those lines), Jack begins to revert back to the type of person he was when he was a child, a person who would try to be the 'hero'..a person who would stand up for Mark Silverman, even if it meant getting a mighty beating!

In this episode (MOSMOF) we see something strange (IMO)..we see Christian encourage Jack to invest more faith and hope over science and logic. Why is this? When before we have seen Christian hammer into his son the importance of not being the hero and walking away..? Anyway, whatever the reason I think MOSMOF and S2 has shown us the 'other'side of Jack. A man who can now place trust in other people - eg, allowing Hurley to deal with the food situation in EHH, allowing Kate to handle a gun..and allowing Michael to 'do it his way'..etc. Weve also seen Jack adopt far more faith than i personally couldve hoped for - weve seen him press the button. Now that, for me, is a major illustration of faith. For a man so rooted in science and tangibility to be pressing a button on mere faith alone (faith in Locke, faith in the button itself) is truely something! Jack didnt have to come back after Des told him the numbers..Jack didnt have to stop and turn around when Locke asked him to press the button and Jack sure as hell didnt have to take that leap of faith with Locke. Yet..Jack did. Something..whether it be curiousity or something else..something made Jack press that button. Perhaps the truth is that Jack has always been a man of faith (His childhood flashbacks suggest that he once was)..perhaps this scientific Jack is a mere facade..something that has been expected of him rather than something that he himself wanted - I recal Rose telling him that he's a good doctor..yet he dismissed this and basically told her that he is only a doctor out of family loyalty and expectation..... Perhaps within all me of science, lies faith? Perhaps (as has been suggested) Jack is a 'Man of Science..but also a Man of Faith?' ..'2 sides' remember..

In saying all of that, i do believe that the MOSMOF reference is also related to the struggle between Jack AND Locke. Jack, a man of faith, but so used to being a man of science just cant undestand why it's "so easy" for Locke to have faith. You see, Jack wants to be more like Locke..he wants to be able to 'let go'..to not be 'expected' to do this or relied upon to do that. Jack wants to believe..but thats not what he's been taught for the majority of his life. He resents Locke because Locke's faith comes so naturally to him. Yet what Jack doesnt understand is that "it's never been easy!"..Locke has struggled with faith too. Locke has been let down and been trampled on more times that he can even remember..but it's this that has made him strong..it's this disapointment that has created his resolve..his belief that all the s*it in his life MUST be for a reason. For Locke it's either fly or die..and he's chosen to believe..to have faith that one day his destiny..his true destiny would come. Now what Locke may or may not have considered is this: Did science fix his legs? ..and if so...does this make him a Man of faith and a man of science?

Therefore in essence we have two men so different..who are also so damn similar. Both of them have an investment in the value and power of science and both of them have faith. As Locke once said, "it's all relative"..one mans faith is another mans science (and vice versa)..it just depends upon your perspective. The trouble is, whilst Locke is looking through the right eye..Jack is looking at life through his left eye. One wonders whether they will one day look at each other and see the man standing before them for what they truely are..?

*anyhoo, thats my opinion, lol :P *

[The Wizard]

how could science have fixed locke's legs?

[lost-lover]

How can a polar bear live so close to the equator?

[The Wizard]

how did tha get into this thread? :P

[lost-lover]

Dont know, just a lil random comment a thought I'd throw in there :P

[The Wizard]

fair enough..:P

[lost-lover]

The polar bear has a habit of turning up in wierd places

[The Wizard]

no comment