Stephen Hawking argues in his new book “The Grand Design” that God did not create the universe and the "Big Bang" was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics. This got me thinking about the universe and its creation. As somewhat of an intellectual, who believes in both science and God, the two are not easy to reconcile.
The more I learn, the more I can’t help but think how insignificant our planet (and even our universe) and the living things on it are in the grand scheme of things. To me, life on our planet is like moss growing on a tiny rock at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Any microscopic life living off that moss, will never understand how it got there, or it’s relation to the rest of the earth. Does that mean there was no grand design?
In fact, I believe our entire universe is also insignificant. Quantum science is already pretty sure there are as many as 11 universes in what they call String Theory. I think there’s even more than that. Quantum Science also has some interesting new theories about all the empty space in the universe, which seems to have gravitational relationships with solid objects like galaxies (Dark Matter).
It’s all so scientific, so random, so complicated. There can’t possibly be any grand design right? Or is there? Let’s see… Almost everything small (an atom) or large (a solar system or galaxy) has something at the center with everything else with mass in close proximity revolving around it. And everything seems to pull or push on everything else via a force we can’t see…gravity. Our earth owes its existence to the sun in which we revolve around; it was born as a byproduct of the sun’s creation. Vast amounts of energy ‘creating’ other “dependant” things that also create other things that depend on them (in essence isn’t the Sun the grandfather of Saturn’s moons?). Random Or designed?
Perhaps it’s all an example, a cosmic microcosm, of the grand design of the “creator” of ALL of these things, including humans. Perhaps it’s all just explained away as random events. You decide for yourself.
The role of science is to provide logical and provable explanations for how things happen within a framework established by provable laws and theories. These laws and theories also provide a foundation upon which additional knowledge and understanding can be further developed. In essence science tries to explain the how and why via methods that are provable and that become the basis for further knowledge.
ReplyDeleteReligion tries to explain the Universe but from a spiritual, metaphysical and or moralistic perspective. Logic and reason are not required of religion. Faith and belief are. Religion does not require its tenets be "provable" at least not in the physical sense.
I don't think Hawking is stating there is no God, its just that he doesn't believe that you need to invoke God to explain the Universe. Its a matter of perspective. He isn't trying to offer a moralistic or spiritual explanation for the Universe, but a provable and logical one.
Donald...agreed. I don't think Hawking is saying he doesn't believe in God. I personally do, and the "design" I see in the universe (Which science helps me see) stregthens that belief in me.
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