#46 Why Einstein Thought Science Disproved Atheism - Joe Heschmeyer
Oct 12, 2023
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Joe Heshmeyer discusses how science supports the existence of a divine creator. He explores the relationship between faith and reason, the concept of logos, and Einstein's perspective on science and religion. The chapter also explores the remarkable effectiveness of mathematics in physics and the perfect intelligibility found in math and science, pointing to the existence of God.
The intelligibility of the universe, as supported by Albert Einstein, suggests the existence of a divine creator.
Faith and reason are not contradictory, but rather complement each other in the pursuit of understanding God and the universe.
Deep dives
The Argument from Science and Intelligibility
The first argument discussed in the podcast is the argument from science and intelligibility. Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict the 16th presents this argument, which suggests that the intelligibility of the universe points to the existence of a divine creator. The argument states that if there was no divine intelligence behind the universe, it would not be intelligible. However, the fact remains that the universe is indeed intelligible, as evidenced by the mathematics and regularities observed in the natural world. Albert Einstein, a renowned scientist, supports this claim by highlighting the role of mathematics and its remarkable effectiveness in explaining physical reality. The argument asserts that the intelligibility and order in the universe stem from a superior intelligence, surpassing human understanding, which points to the existence of a divine creator.
Faith and Reason
The podcast also delves into the relationship between faith and reason. It emphasizes that faith is not contrary to reason, but rather goes beyond it while being rooted in it. The argument presented by Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict the 16th asserts that certain truths about God can be known through reason alone, irrespective of one's faith. This includes the existence of God and other natural knowledge about God that can be derived from observing the created world. However, faith entails further knowledge about the nature and character of God, which surpasses what pure reason can ascertain. The argument emphasizes that reason and faith are not at odds, but rather work in tandem, with natural knowledge serving as a foundation for supernatural knowledge.
The Role of Mathematics in Understanding Reality
The podcast explores the remarkable role of mathematics in understanding the universe. It highlights that the efficacy of mathematics in describing and explaining physical reality is awe-inspiring, as it transcends human experience. The argument emphasizes that the language of mathematics appears to be perfectly suited to formulate the laws of physics and to make sense of the cosmos. This effectiveness and omnipresence of mathematics in various fields, from physics to neuroscience to finance, points to the intelligibility and ordered structure of the universe. The podcast references Albert Einstein, who acknowledges the profound connection between mathematics, physics, and an intelligible reality. This intriguing relationship between abstraction and real-life applications reinforces the notion of an underlying divine intelligence behind the universe.
The Argument's Implications and Unanswered Critics
The implications of the argument from science and intelligibility suggest the existence of a superior intelligence behind the universe. It surpasses human intelligence and produces an intelligibility that is beyond what humans can achieve. Critics of the argument are mentioned in the podcast, but no high-level engagement is presented. These critiques primarily question the assumption of objective intelligibility in science, asserting that science does not rely on the reference of the universe to a greater intelligence. However, the podcast counters these objections by emphasizing the regularities, mathematical coherence, and intelligibility discovered in the natural world through scientific exploration. The argument's resonant message of an intelligible universe points towards a divine creator.