"Poets say science takes away from the beauty of the stars - mere blobs of gas atoms. Nothing is "mere". I too can see the stars on a desert night, and feel them. But do I see less or more? The vastness of the heavens stretches my imagination - stuck on this carousel my little eye can catch one-million-year-old light. A vast pattern - of which I am a part... what is the pattern or the meaning or the why? It does not do harm to the mystery to know a little more about it."
Physicist Richard Feynman - Known for his work in path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, the theory of quantum electrodynamics and the physics of superfluidity of supercooled liquid helium, as well as in particle physics (he proposed the parton model), and the behavior of subatomic particles, which later became known as the Feynman diagrams. He is ranked as one of the ten greatest physicists of all time. Taken from Wikipedia
Feynman was one of the most renowned physicist of our time. He understood the science behind the universe as well as any man and infinitely better than most. As represented by the quote above, he also understood the limitations of his knowledge. He recognized the mystery behind the science, but what attributes he assigned to the mystery if any at all, I do not know.
Question to ponder: Does the continual acquisition of scientific knowledge of the universe damage or strengthen our faith in an all powerful creator?
The problem with a question like this is that it assumes an either/or, dualistic situation and response. Virtually all attempts to describe Reality in dualistic terms – “this” OR “that” – are destined to result in self-evident discordance with the very Reality that dualism attempts to define, or at least to categorize. The two are not mutually exclusive, contrary to what many religious and/or artistic people say, and what many scientific people say. The two are synergistic. One is the melody, the other the harmony, both being part of the greater symphony that is creation. Either part may sound perfectly fine alone, but both achieve much greater fulfillment in concert together. For one to be threatened by the other, or for the other to discount the former is simply diminishing and destructive to both perspectives, and to our concept of creation. Of course, some would even take exception with the idea of any sort of intelligent inspiration and the very label “creation.” This speaks to the closed-mindedness of the self-declared “open-minded.” This is not a competition but a cooperation and a quest for correspondence – that of our conception of the universe and of reality, and that of Reality Itself. This Ultimate Reality is The Reality of Inclusion and Reconciliation rather than Exclusion and Isolation. - Jeff Robinson
ReplyDeleteFeynman's quote "It does not do harm to the mystery to know a little more about it." would indicate that he is comfortable with the interrelated nature and synergy of the two don't you think? Personally, I find quantum physics and the science of the universe fascinating and completely reconcilable to my theology. In fact it strengthens my faith to understand some of the scientific explanations for what we experience. It does stretch some however and I am certainly okay with that. The bottom line for me, is whether or not I trust God regardless of my perspective on the nature if the universe. Many things happen to me in my life that are ultimately inexplicable and this is as it should be.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response my friend!