Cosmic "X" or God? -Religion vs Science
Science vs. Religion seems to be a running theme for the 21st century. Yet, the two sides of the debate have much in common. Not being willing to consider other's perspective is a common occurrence in both worlds.
Why does the universe seem so fine-tuned for the emergence of life, including intelligent life capable of asking that "why" question? "Believers," says theoretical physicist and astrobiologist, Paul Davies, in a recent interview with Cosmic Log, "simply say that God did it, while scientists are trying to come up with complicated extradimensional multiverse theories to explain our lucky break."
Many scientists cling to their theories as faithfully as the devout cling to their religious texts. In both realms, to point out that an underlying concept does not appear to make sense can be taken as blasphemy. In both camps there are sharp internal divides as to what should be accepted as "truth."
In his new book, Cosmic Jackpot, Davies end runs the religious question by taking a completely different tack. He argues that the cosmos has made itself the way it is, stretching backward in time to the very beginning to focus in on a biological universe of what he calls "bio-friendliness."
The concept of a biological universe requires as profound a revision in our thinking about the cosmos as the Copernican and Dawrinian revolutions. It is a worldview that states that planetary systems are common, that life originates wherever conditions are favorable, and that evolution culminates with intelligence.
The most eloquent description of the bio-friendly universe came from Nobel laurate Christian de Duve who wrote that "The universe is not the inert cosmos of the phyicist, with a little added life for good measure. The universe is life, with the necessary infrastructure around it; it consists foremost of trillions of bioshperes generated and sustained by the rest of the universe."
According to Davies there are three popular responses to the fact that the universe does seem to be weirdly fine-tuned for life: the intelligent-design argument; the idea that if we had a final theory of physics, then all of the undetermined parameters in the laws would be fixed by that theory; and the third is the multiverse or the notion that there is a multiplicity of universes, with laws that vary from one to the other.
All three of these explanations are found wanting, writes Davies, who's view is that the universe has engineered its own bio-friendliness through a sort of feedback loop that operates in both directions in time.
For most people, the first interpretation is, 'Well, God did it.' "The problem with saying God did it," says Davies, "is that God is unexplained, so you are appealing to an unexplained designer. It doesn't actually explain anything; it just shoves the problem off. But to say that the laws of physics just happen to permit life is no explanation either."
The true and ultimate debate clincher might belong to the Michael Shermer, author of the "Skeptic" column for Scientific Amerian, who played on Arthur C. Clarke's famous Third Law: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" to coin Shermer's Last Law:
"Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God."
But, perhaps it's best if we end with thoughts of the greatest scientic mind in human history: When he turned 50, Einstein granted an interview in which he was asked point-blank, whether he believed in God.
"I am not an atheist," he began. "The problem involved is too vast for our limited minds. We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangement of the books but doesn't know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God. We see the universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws but only dimly understand these laws."
Posted by Casey Kazan with Rebecca Sato
Related Galaxy Posts:
Origin of Religion -Human Brain as a "Belief Engine"
Darwin's God -The Legacy of the HMS Beagle
Neurotheology -Is God Hardwired in the Human Brain
Sources:
The title of the article is a bit misleading, though it is a good article. Einstein was pro the notion of God or, more accurately, was agnostic towards the idea of a creative intelligence - he was simply against religions that attempt to box that creative intelligence into their little models of the universe and try to push it off as the gospel truth. But, he never said any where wrong, just that he did not share those viewpoints. He was however more of an advocate of the concept of a Universal Mind. So the title 'Einstein' or 'God' really makes no sense, as Einstein was for God, not against.
Nice article though.
Cheers.
Dear fauX: I know, I wrestled with the title put came up empty. Will give it another shot this a.m. Thnx...Casey
Posted by: fauX | June 29, 2007 at 07:53 PM
Have Your Say Pakistan Tribune
Global environmental collapse - how & why! Logical proof of Allah & Pantheism. ______________ John Berbatis, Australia (2007-03-26 15:20:41)
Dear Editor,
Syllogisms that I submitted in 1998, which were recognized by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - Dr Mary Robinson and the Hon. Justice Michael D. Kirby AC CMG of the High Court of Australia.
Time must exist before matter can be created, and only an animate entity can conceive of space-time. Time must be a stabilized and uniform condition before matter can form, thus Monotheism is a Truth.
The Universe consists of space-time; which is functionally active and growing but remains stable. These combined characteristics are indicative of an animate entity only, thus Pantheism is a fact. Consequently, all mortals' behaviour and attitudes become conspicuous by our Creator.
Reality is the dream of a Universal sentient being; sensations of all mortals are merely light flashes within elongated fractal crystals, flowing in a white mist which is time itself; ensconced within a beige coloured and velvet textured Pearl, i.e., a holographic Universe.
If all electrical particles were in different time zones - matter would not form, thus time is a controlled electromagnetic radiation (energy) E = mc2.
To be perfect - one must know the past, present and future, there is only one, the one that created Time.
John Berbatis Perth, Australia March 26th, 2007
Tel: +61 0422621382 Email: johnberbatisau@hotmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global environment collapse. ______________ John Berbatis, Australia (2007-03-26 15:15:01)
Many citizens of earth do not realize the seriousness of the parlous state of the global environment, but will just prior to their obliteration by 'a raging mother nature'. Judging by the current extremes of global weather conditions and the recent increase in worldwide seismic activity, I believe humanity will face extinction before the end of 2008.
In the past ten years there has been an exponential melting of the ice sheets and a noticeable disintegration of the ice shelves, owing to 'global warming'.
The loss of mass from the underlying Tectonics Plates causes them to ascend (iso-static rebound), and this results in an increase in the intensification and frequency of global seismological activity. The seismic data of the past ten years confirm this conjecture. Furthermore, the ice shelves impede the flow of glaciers and ice sheets into to the oceans; and when the 'polar regions' are subjected to unprecedented seismic upheavals, these events will then cause the ice sheets and glaciers to be dislodged en masse into the oceans. This occurrence will then instantly destabilize the earth's surface weight distribution (isostasy), and so precipitate a 'crust displacement' (Mag. 12). i.e., axis change! The previous subterranean extraction of fossil fuels will greatly exacerbate this impending Apocalypse.
Currently, the excessive amount of carbon and methane gasses in the atmosphere is causing catastrophic weather conditions, globally - and this situation will rapidly deteriorate... 'a climate runaway!'
The global environmental and geo-political situations are now coalescing into a 'critical mass'; so I believe humanity can expect a catastrophe of worldwide proportions within this year!
In 1998, I submitted my dissertation on the above matter to various eminent institutions and individuals, to which I received positive responses from PM's Tony Blair, Helen Clark (NZ) & Lee Kwain Yew (Singapore) as well as the UN's - Dr Mary Robinson, Hon. Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG of the High Court of Australia, Premier P. Beattie (Queensland, Au) and Chief Justices of Canada, Norway, Taiwan, Mexico and Netherlands etc,.
Reality rules this universe! ... not unproductive discussion & debate?
John Berbatis
4/21 Cornelian St
Scarborough 6019
Perth Australia Tel: +61 0422621382 July 6th, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Ackerley, Beth"
To: "John Berbatis"
Subject: Tsunami SMS Warnings
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 11:50:53 +1000
Mr John Berbatis
Email address: johnberbatisau@hotmail.com
Dear Mr Berbatis
The Premier, Paul Lennon MHA, has asked me to acknowledge and
thank you for your email of 29 March 2007 in relation to Tsunami SMS warning.
Yours sincerely
Beth Ackerley
Executive Officer
Premier's Office
Telephone: 6233 6068
Fax: 6234 1572
Email: Beth.Ackerley@dpac.tas.gov.au
From :
thepremier
Sent :
Tuesday, 13 March 2007 2:00:16 PM
To :
Subject :
AA07/06566 - Global warming
From : thepremier
Sent : Tuesday, 13 March 2007 2:00:16 PM
To : johnberbatisau@hotmail.com
Subject : AA07/06566 - Global warming
Dear Mr Berbatis
The Premier has received your recent email concerning global warming.
Your views have been noted and Mr Iemma the appreciates reasons which prompted you to write to him on this occasion.
You may be sure that your comments will receive close consideration.
Yours sincerely
Jocelyn Mouawad
Assistant Private Secretary
From: WA-Government
Sent: Tuesday, 10 April 2007 4:13:08 PM
To : "john berbatis"
Subject : RE: SMS alerts for tsunami warning.
| | | Drafts | Inbox
Dear Mr Berbatis
We refer to your recent email regarding SMS alerts for tsunami warnings.
Your suggestion has been noted and forwarded to the Hon John Kobelke, Minister
for Police and Emergency Services for consideration.
Regards
WA Govt
>>> "john berbatis" 5/04/07 9:30 am >>>
Dear Premier Alan Carpenter,
In last month, there has been a heightened level of global seismological
activity, especially in the Pacific basin 'ring of fire'; and it appears to be
substantially escalating.
I have recommended by email - to all State Premiers, PM Howard and the Chief
Minister Clare Martin, that they consider the immediate establishing of a SMS
alert for a tsunami threat, so as to facilitate the most effective means of the
warning the public.
Kind regards,
John Berbatis
4/21 Cornelian St
Scarborough 6019
Perth WA April 5th, 2007 Tel: 0422621382
NB.
Premier Peter Beattie sent me a positive response by letter, on March 26th 2007
- pertaining to above matter.
From : DP&C
Sent : Thursday, 26 April 2007 11:22:28 AM
To : johnberbatisau@hotmail.com
Subject : State of Global Environment ??Tsunami Warnings by SMS Alerts
| | | Inbox
Doc No: D07/23525
Email response ??Mr John Berbatis
Subject: State of Global Environment ??Tsunami Warnings by SMS Alerts
Dear Mr Berbatis
Thank you for your email to the Premier of 29 March 2007 regarding the
use of SMS alerts for a tsunami threat and the state of the global
environment.
Providing timely emergency warnings and information to communities is a
complex and evolving issue as demonstrated recently following the
Solomon Islands earthquake on 2 April 2007. The Victorian Government
regularly assesses new and emerging technology and systems for public
warning and information, including the use of spatial and
telecommunications technology.
Recognising that climate change requires whole-of-government
consideration, the Premier recently announced the establishment of an
Office of Climate Change to be located within the Department of Premier
and Cabinet. The Office of Climate Change is responsible for supporting
the Premier and the Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change
in driving a whole-of-government strategic agenda that addresses threats
and explores opportunities of climate change in Victoria and nationally.
The Victorian Government and the Office of Climate Change in particular
are shaping a forward agenda on climate change for the coming years.
Details about Victoria?™s forward agenda will emerge as the work program
develops. This will inevitably require strong collaboration across the
whole of government, business and the community to address this
significant challenge.
I appreciate the information you have provided and your interest in this
matter.
Yours sincerely,
Leo Van Der Toorren
Director
Security and Emergencies
23 April 2007
This Department, in accordance with the Public Records Act 1973, will
collect and store the information you have provided. Should you have
any queries regarding access to your personal information held by this
Department please contact the Privacy Officer, Department of Premier &
Cabinet, Level 2, 1 Treasury Place, East Melbourne 3002.
From : є¬Ы©xЄуHP発«H専ҐО Sent : Wednesday, 25 April 2007 8:14:56 AM To : johnberbatisau@hotmail.com Subject : [є¬Ы©xЄуより] | | | Drafts | Inbox We have received your e-mail.
Best Regard,
E-mail Team
Cabinet Secretariate Government of Japan.
Posted by: John Berbatis | July 05, 2007 at 07:30 PM
It would be liberating to see the day when science and religion can find a common ground, or at least a neutral place where they can acknowledge and respect each other without making it such a big controversy.
http://www.jerusalemexport.com is a great resource for religious hand crafted wood ornaments and decorative religious products.
Posted by: jerusalemexporthouse | August 15, 2007 at 01:26 AM