"Stu, I think you are somewhat mixing the objects of science ("scientifically explicable") with the acts of human thinking and feeling."

Well, I think it's a common misconception that science is a process that is done devoid of feeling (thinking is required of course). In fact, you have to ask what is the motivation of a scientist when doing research? I can't speak for anyone else so I'll speak for me.

My motivation are the feelings of awe I get when looking at things in the natural world, from a school of tiddlers in the stream to standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. For myself, it endlessly fascinates and I've always been interested in how and why it works as it does, and how did it arrive at this state?

The thing I loved most was dinosaurs and fossils, since I was a wee chap on the beach at Lyme Regis and picked up my first belemnite. For one reason and another this hasn't been my career, but now I'm actively involved in palaeontological research on these wonderful animals. This feeling of delight and utter awe never leaves me, whether I'm out in the field or making progress when doing more experimental work. When I speak to colleagues it turns out they all feel the same; I remember going to my first conference and being over the moon to meet people who were as enthusiastic as I was about the subject.

So human feelings are massively important in research, and are as important to a scientist as they are to any follower of any religion. It's what motivates me, encourages me to try to understand the wider context for my work, and provides me with a deep sense of spiritual nourishment. I have the scientific method to ensure my objectivity and rigour are fully engaged when working.

Spiritual? Shurely shome mishtake? Well, no. Stand out in your back garden on a clear night and look up at the stars and realise you're made from the products of stars and you are the universe made conscious, you are those stars, planets and galaxies contemplating their own existence, their own nature. That's at the very least, nothing else. The most parsimonious explanation for our being able to consider our own origin. The more you reflect on this idea, the more profound and beautiful the world and the universe becomes, and the more precious every life is.

This is science and it is vast, wondrous and humbling, and it engages the emotions and feelings and this is why science exists.