From: mk_thisisit
Discussions surrounding the relationship between science and faith often address the question of God’s existence. A debate organized in Professor Krzysztof Zanussi’s house explored how science and physics relate to the existence or non-existence of God [00:00:19].
Diverse Perspectives on God’s Existence
Participants in the discussion held varying views on the existence of God:
- One individual firmly stated, “I know that God exists” [00:01:50] and documented this conviction in a book [00:01:53].
- Another cautiously suggested, “I suppose that God exists” [00:02:07], clarifying that this is a matter of belief or faith, not definitive knowledge [00:02:16].
- A third participant admitted, “I do not know if God exists” [00:03:03] and remains unconvinced [00:03:19].
The idea of divinity is noted to be universal across all encountered cultures and civilizations [00:02:45].
The Anthropic Principle
The anthropic principle, or anthropic regulation, is discussed as a potential scientific justification for the existence of God [00:05:32].
- Definition: It states that if the laws of nature, including physics and biology, were even slightly different, life in the universe would be impossible [00:07:35]. This precise “tuning” or “perfect fit” of cosmic parameters [00:01:06] is considered one of the greatest scientific facts understood by humanity [00:00:42], representing an order that does not depend on human actions [00:00:52].
- Origin: The anthropic hypothesis was initially presented “as a joke at dinner” [00:01:12] by Brandon Carter at an elementary particle physics school [01:16:26], a statement he now regrets [01:16:39].
- Criticism: Physics has never presented evidence for God’s existence, nor is it its task [00:06:20]. It is argued that claiming the universe would “fall apart” if one law were slightly modified is unjustified, as the origins and relationships between natural laws and fundamental constants are unknown [00:10:19]. The numerical value of the speed of light, for instance, is a matter of convention, not an inherent property [00:09:36]. Furthermore, it’s impossible to prove that alternative forms of life, possible under different physical laws, could not exist [00:08:17].
Transcendence and Reality
The debate explores whether the world is solely material or also transcendental [01:17:42].
- Arguments for Transcendence:
- Human Experience: Literature allows individuals to “live many times” [01:19:38] and experience lives beyond their physiological limitations [01:20:03].
- Mathematics: Many mathematicians are Platonists, believing that mathematical objects and theorems exist objectively, even if they lack referents in the material world [01:20:18]. Mathematics describes a reality beyond material existence, indicating an extrasensory domain [01:20:53].
- Limits of Human Understanding: Similar to how animals like dogs or cats cannot comprehend quantum mechanics, there might be a level of reality inaccessible to the human mind, not due to technological limitations, but inherent cognitive constraints [01:21:40].
- Physics and Transcendence: The question of a transcendental world is an important one for physics, especially if this transcendence influences physical reality, as seen in the anthropic regulation or the question of human free will and consciousness [01:18:01].
The Role of Science in Searching for God
While not claiming science proves God’s existence, the discussion touches on its capacity to illuminate deeper truths. The director Krzysztof Zanussi emphasizes that his films seek answers primarily to the existence of God because it is “the only question that is really important” [01:25:25]. He is interested in scientists as individuals and exact sciences as disciplines that are “most advanced at the moment in their consciousness” [01:35:36]. The natural world, with its inherent order, is described as “wonderfully mysterious” [01:47:48], with aspects that remain secrets beyond human understanding [01:53:50]. The ability of humans to understand nature’s laws, despite not being necessary for evolutionary survival, is also highlighted as a profound question [01:05:08].
Science and Faith: Common Ground and Conflict
Astrology and Miracles
- Astrology: Scientific tests have shown that astrological predictions do not come true [01:29:01]. The Catholic Church has traditionally viewed horoscopes as a sin because they erode free will [01:31:14].
- Miracles: Defined as “unlikely events” or “rare recoveries” rather than violations of natural laws [01:32:31]. Miracles are seen as subjectively considered events that reinforce faith for some [01:33:52]. From a scientific perspective, seemingly miraculous occurrences can often be attributed to statistical probability [01:32:46]. One physicist suggests that repeated “miraculous” events, like surviving multiple jumps from a height, would eventually be explained by gained experience rather than divine intervention [01:58:58].
The Problem of Determinism and Free Will
Modern physics often presents a deterministic view of the world, where everything is “wound like clockwork” [01:42:09]. This deterministic perspective leads to the denial of free will [01:42:16], which conflicts with legal systems based on accountability [01:42:19]. However, personal experience is cited as strong evidence for the existence of free will [01:46:46], even under duress [01:47:06]. Free will is viewed as the ability to choose and act, independent of prior materialistic conditions, rooted in something transcendental within humans [01:45:38].
Evolution and Religion
The Bible’s creation account is seen not as a literal historical record, but as a metaphorical book [01:07:07]. Modern scientific findings, such as water arriving on Earth from space via comets, align with some distant echoes in biblical narratives [01:08:04].
The Rationality of Religion
Contrary to the common belief that religion hindered science, it is argued that the rationality of religion led to the emergence and development of science, especially in the Judeo-Christian tradition [01:09:02]. Medieval universities and monasteries, where the nature of God and being were explored through reason, fostered a belief in a rational, divinely created material world, thus encouraging scientific inquiry [01:09:07].
Future and Uncertainty
The concept of the future already existing, particularly in the context of quantum mechanics and relativity, is a “very deep question related to the interpretation of quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity” [01:49:13]. While some believe events in the future may already exist for a timeless observer, for humans, these are uncertain [01:50:10]. The inability to predict or control many aspects of life, such as disease, highlights the limits of human knowledge and control [02:02:07]. Ultimately, the world remains a “wonderful mystery” [02:02:07].