IS SCIENCE IN PURSUIT OF GOD?
FROM Newton to Einstein, the basic pursuit of science was based on discovering the laws of nature. But in the post-Einsteinian era, the pursuit of science shifted from the discovery of laws of nature to the explanation of nature.
In the post-Einsteinian era, science discovered that the universe is not a haphazard world; it is a highly meaningful world, well-designed, and extremely harmonious. It appears that the universe is a centrally controlled universe.
The universe appears to be centrally controlled. There seems to be a master computer that controls the working of the universe.
Perhaps the first scientist who pointed out that there is a mathematical mind behind the universe was Sir James Jeans. Einstein spent a large part of his life searching for a 'unified field theory'. Then, Stephen Hawking introduced what is called single string theory which developed into the unifying M-Theory which is one of the candidates for a ‘Theory of Everything’. Stephen Hawking originally believed that M-theory may be the ultimate ‘Theory of Everything’ but later suggested that the search for understanding of mathematics and physics will never be complete1.
There are some scientists who believe in the existence of the Higgs Boson particle popularly known as the God particle, which is supposed to explain many questions about the nature of our universe. Recently, a scientist2 declared that there is a ‘master computer that controls the working of the universe’. This same thought is expressed by some scientists in these words that the ‘universe is an intelligent universe’ or of ‘design’ and ‘fine-tuning’ in the universe.
These ideas and theories are yet to be established by scientific criterion. To date, there is no general acceptance in favour of these theories. Scientifically speaking, if it is proposed as a theory; then it is mathematically workable and research continues towards it, together with critiques and challenges against it. Scientists believe them to be working theories rather than established scientific fact.
But, these kinds of statements by different scientists reflect an important fact. That is, scientific pursuit has led scientists to a question: if the universe is centrally controlled, then who is the controller? Although there is no scientist who would dare to say there is a living controller and that controller is God, one can still say that present day science has confirmed the idea of God indirectly, albeit not directly.
Nature is so comprehensible that it is incomprehensible to believe that there is no supreme power behind nature.
Albert Einstein once said that the most incomprehensible fact about nature is that it is comprehensible. This statement from a scientist is not a simple statement. It reflects the dissatisfied mind of a scientist. If we rephrase this statement of Einstein, we can say that nature is so comprehensible that it is incomprehensible to believe that there is no supreme power behind nature.
A tree stands above the ground,
fixing its roots firmly beneath the ground.
It grows from beneath, upwards into the air;
it does not start at the top and grow downwards.
The tree is our teacher, imparting to us
the lesson of nature that
if we seek to progress outwardly,
we must first strengthen ourselves inwardly;
we must begin from the base of our own selves
before we can hope to build society anew.
1. Stephen Hawking editor, 2005. God Created the Integers: The Mathematical Breakthroughs
That Changed History
2. University of Washington, Professor Martin Savage