Is the Universe Governed by Random Chance?

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The universe is largely governed by random chance, but there are different layers of meaning to a question like this. We observe that the universe is tending from a state of order toward one of disorder. Because it started out in some ordered state, we could infer potentially that it was created and governed by a God of order. In science, as Richard Feynman once said, we must recognize ignorance and leave room for doubt.

The same facts can lead to different stories. You see this daily in your news feed — major events produce dozens of headlines, and each article has its own interpretation of the facts. This is how we make sense of the world: when we get information, we want to interpret it. But, with so many choices, is there a right interpretation?

In today’s episode, we ask this question. How can you interpret the facts of your life and make sense of your meaning and purpose? Our speaker is Dr. Troy Van Voorhis, a professor of Chemistry at MIT. He discusses how interpretations may not always be in conflict with each other, and how his Christian faith informs his approach to certainty.

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