The Role of Science in God s world

Transcription

1 The Role of Science in God s world A/Prof. Frank Stootman f.stootman@uws.edu.au

2 A Remarkable Universe By any measure we live in a remarkable universe We can talk of the existence of material elements or parts: Fundamental particles, atoms, molecules, compounds, long-chain molecules We can also talk of non-material elements which provides the relationship of the parts: Properties of the above: why they relate the way they do, laws, principles, symmetries Information, structure, function, teleology, QM mystery (not ignorance!)

3 Things to Explain - Believer or non-believer Three remarkable questions confront us. Why is there anything at all? We discover and represent the universe We do not create the form of the universe The mathematical logic, the laws, the symmetries, the principles Why there is information in the universe? The DNA Code, structure, function, teleology, and the relationships of the parts Why is humankind unique? Self conscious, artistic, creative, experimental, able to comprehend the universe and puzzle out its mysteries

4 The Material and non-material The universe we live in requires an explanation for: The material form: laws, principles, mathematical logic AND Its non-material form: the why, the information, the meaning, the purpose, the function Science Material Non-Material: time+chance+?

5 The Clock Analogy A mechanical clock is made of many parts for it to function as a clock This is the material layer This is necessary but not sufficient The relationship of the parts are necessary for it to function as a clock. The parts are: Engineered Designed This is the non-material layer This is necessary but not sufficient Together they are necessary and sufficient to explain the clock

6 Science Science is an important tool to begin to answer some of these questions But it has limitations! Definition: Science: L. scientia = knowledge, particularly knowledge about the natural world This knowledge is obtained by observation, measurement and/or experiment The above knowledge is integrated into an understanding of the natural world and how it works

7 The Methodology of Science Framework Theoretical prediction Inspiration Hunch Hypothesis Observation/ Experiment Check Inspiration/Hunch Test Theory/Hypothesis Data Analysis Conclusions Construction of theoretical framework Predictions/Modifications/Improvements Further observation/experiment Build an objective picture of nature which is self consistent

8 Necessary Assumptions of Science Necessary The universe has intrinsic form able to be observed or measured: Particulars Boundaries & Categories & Distinctions Universals Laws, principles Symmetries Mathematical Logic Rational Spatial & Temporal Uniformity Without these, science cannot be done

9 Philosophic Assumption of Science Naturalism = The fundamental belief that starting only from basic elements (atoms, molecules, forces, laws, and properties) the whole of the natural world can be explained. It is a worldview Set of glasses with which to view the world It is an important assumption but insufficient to explain all of reality Cannot explain the why question

10 Naturalism Paul Davies, "The Fifth Miracle", p6 "In the coming chapters I shall argue that it is not enough to know how life's immense structural complexity arose; we must also account for the origin of biological information. As we shall see, scientists are still very far from solving this fundamental conceptual puzzle. Some people rejoice in this ignorance, imagining that it leaves room for a miraculous creation. However, it is the job of science to solve mysteries without recourse to divine intervention. just because scientists are still uncertain of how life began does not mean life cannot have had a natural origin."

11 Naturalism Stephen Hawking, "A Brief History of Time", p140 "The idea that space and time may form a closed surface without boundary also has profound implications for the role of God in the affairs of the universe. With the success of scientific theories in describing events, most people have come to believe that God allows the universe to evolve according to a set of laws and does not intervene in the universe to break these laws. However, the laws do not tell us what the universe should have looked like when it started-it would still be up to God to wind up the clockwork and choose how to start it off. So long as the universe had a beginning, we could suppose it had a creator. But if the universe is really completely self-contained, having no boundary or edge, it would have neither beginning nor end: it would simply be. What place, then, for a creator?"

12 Limitations of Science There are many metaphysical (= beyond physics) questions not answered by science Why does the universe exist? Why does it have the form it does The apparent temporal and spatial uniformity so that science is possible? Laws, principles, symmetries, allows mathematical logic in order to do science? Why is the universe intelligible at some level Where does the information come from in the coded DNA, or in the purposeful intricate cellular mechanisms? Who am I? What is just, moral and fair? How can I be significant and have meaning?

13 There is More to the Universe For the scientific message can teach us nothing else beyond how facts are related to, and conditioned by, each other knowledge of what is does not open the door directly to what should be. ( Albert Einstein, Out of My Later Years, p22) But science can only be created by those who are thoroughly imbued with the aspiration towards truth and understanding. This source of feeling, however, springs from the sphere of religion I cannot conceive of a genuine scientist without that profound faith. The situation may be expressed by an image: Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind (ibid., p26)

14 The Central Question Prof. Paul Davies: How has this come about? Somehow the universe has engineered not just its own awareness, but its own comprehension. Mindless, blundering atoms have conspired to make, not just life, not just mind, but understanding ( The Goldilocks Enigma, p5)

15 Modern Atheism Modern atheism uses science + paradigm of naturalism to explain all natural explanations of the universe are both necessary and sufficient The natural paradigm forms a better & complete grand narrative (=story) than (say) the Biblical narrative God is unnecessary

16 A Better Rational Explanation - The Christian Worldview The limitations of science such as The form of the universe: both material and non-material Are rationally explained by allowing transcendence & personhood The unique Biblical revelation is much more comprehensive Gives space for transcendence Reveals a person behind the universe artistic creative engineer designer the special form of the universe Makes sense of being human with our own unique qualities made in the image/likeness of God Gives space for science

17 Space for Science The Biblical revelation reveals Boundaries & categories (Gen 1-3) physical metaphysical - morality, meaning, and significance A creation of humankind with a mission reflecting qualities of God to rule & subdue to create order and beauty to make a difference to develop to think God s thoughts after Him to use the knowledge to fight the moral fall and intrinsic entropy

18 The Bible and Science The Bible and Science inform and support each other The fundamental answers to the why questions come from outside Science Bible

19 Genesis 1 Genesis Is not a detailed science textbook and I don t go looking for my science there. However, The biblical revelation in Genesis resonates with modern science The universe had a beginning - big bang God created - inflationary universe Started in chaos - quantum gravity There is progress in creation - evolution Separation of land and sea - plate tectonics Humankind is created last - consistent with science There was an original Adam & Eve - consistent There is something special about humankind - observationally true: art, culture, creativity, language, abstract thought, transcendence

20 Conclusion For the believer, the physical world is a rational template for wider truth into bigger dimensions The amazing physical world points beyond itself to the existence of God and thus the following really makes sense The heavens declare the Glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world (Psalm 19)