The
Mind of God: The Scientific Basis for a Rational World
by Paul Davies
Davies tries to reconcile scientific fact
w/religious ideas, A reader from New York City, October 16, 1998
There are things that have been taught by
established religions, which, over time, have been known to conflict with
the findings of scientists. Is there some common ground where the two can
meet? In "The Mind of God", Paul Davies makes an honest attempt
to examine both and see where the road leads.
As the questions arise, Davies shows us how
certain religious teachings cannot be currently reconciled with today's
science, yet, science stills leads us to the logical conclusion that God
must exist. Of course, since Davies is more of a scientist than a religious
expert, my copy is full of notes with Bible verses which match up with
his conclusions - so, just maybe the two "universes" can get along.
For those who are interested in both areas
of life, this book is a MUST read.
Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 1991
Are we but ideas in the mind of God? Platonic
forms in one of many infinite universes? Davies (Theoretical Physics/Univ.
of Adelaide, Australia; co-author, The
Matter Myth, p. 1510, etc.) increasingly assumes the mantle of
metaphysician as he probes once again theories of origin and destiny, space
and time, and creation by design or chance. Some of this tracks familiar
Davies ground: a reprise of Plato and Aristotle, Aquinas and Newton, Hoyle
and Hawking. Quarks and GUT theories are revisited, as are chaos theory
and quantum cosmology. But what makes this exercise different is the extent
to which Davies probes computer science and mathematics to develop extraordinarily
rich concepts of the nature of complexity. These chapters deal not only
with the paradoxes inherent in self-reflecting systems and G” del's proofs
of undecidability in mathematics but relate these famous theorems to Turing's
universal machines and the nature of "computable" vs. "noncomputable" numbers.
The upshot of all this lofty discourse is the idea that the laws of physics
(or nature) are "computable" and that the universe lends itself to simulation,
given a universal computer. The more enthusiastic mathematicians exploring
these ideas are prepared to say that such computers reveal the organized
complexity of the universe, are capable of self-replication, and are therefore
alive. Davies concludes that maybe the ultimate answer cannot be obtained
through reason but only through mysticism, and he again states his conviction
that we are truly meant to be here.... That's not necessarily the conclusion
all readers will reach, but the mathematical excursions make this latest
Davies volume of more than passing interest. - Copyright ©1991,
Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Synopsis
Pursuing the eternal quest of Western thought
to comprehend the origin and design of the universe, Davies probes into
the essential nature of scientific inquiry and the role of man in interpreting
the cosmos. A provocative synthesis of science, philosophy, and theology,
by the bestselling author of God
and the New Physics.
Synopsis
A distinguished theoretical physicist assesses
various theological and scientific explanations for the creation of the
universe, reflecting on the dual nature - the simultaneous simple patterns
and organized complexity - of the laws of the universe.
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