Dr. Jordan B. Peterson talks with mathematician, author, and theologian Dr. John Lennox about the compatibility of Christianity and science, the connection between the axioms of faith and scientific investigation, the concept of truth and its relation to science and God, the pitfalls of self-deification, the existence of right and wrong within the context of Genesis, and the role of sacrifice in Christianity.
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Quick takeaways
Science and Christianity can coexist, with both emphasizing the intelligibility of the world and the moral pursuit of knowledge.
Greek and Judeo-Christian thought share a belief in the comprehensibility of the cosmos and the ethical value of honest investigation, raising questions about the nature of the universe and its relationship to humanity.
Science is intertwined with ethics, requiring truth-seeking and self-criticism, and transhumanism undermines the ethical foundations of human existence and the recognition of transcendent knowledge.
Deep dives
The interplay between science and Christianity
The podcast explores the relationship between science and Christianity, emphasizing that they are not necessarily in conflict. It highlights that the belief in the intelligibility of the world and the inherent morality of acquiring knowledge are foundational to the scientific enterprise and have deep roots in the Christian tradition.
The connection between Greek and Judeo-Christian thought
The podcast discusses the affinity between Greek thought and Judeo-Christian thought, particularly in regards to the comprehensibility of the cosmos and the ethical orientation towards honest communication and investigation. It suggests that the Greek concept of an intrinsic logic in the world aligns with the Judeo-Christian belief of the word incarnate in the human psyche. This connection raises questions about the nature of the universe and its potential relationship with human personality.
The importance of truth and ethical conduct in science
The podcast emphasizes the significance of truth in scientific endeavors and the ethical conduct required to pursue knowledge. It highlights the need for scientists to be committed to the pursuit of truth and to bend backwards to criticize themselves. The discussion also touches on the importance of ethical decisions in analyzing hypotheses and conducting statistical analyses, suggesting that science is deeply intertwined with ethical considerations and moral truth.
The dangers of transhumanism and the role of divine revelation
The podcast warns against the dangers of transhumanism and the attempts to reach godlike status by enhancing humans through genetic and technological means. It argues that such endeavors are doomed to fail as they undermine the ethical foundations of human existence and the belief in a transcendent creator. The discussion points to divine revelation as a separate and deeper source of knowledge, highlighting the need to recognize the limits of human intelligence and the importance of humility in the face of the limitless mysteries of the universe.
The Importance of Transcendent Moral Propositions
The podcast episode discusses the significance of transcendent moral propositions that are considered axiomatic and beyond human maneuvering. The speaker emphasizes that these moral axioms should not be within the domain of human manipulation. The loss of transcendence in our culture is seen as damaging because it leads to a confusion of values and a lack of common sense. The podcast argues that looking outside oneself and acknowledging the reality of transcendence and a higher power is crucial in navigating moral questions.
The Problem with Subjectivity and Consensus in Morality
The podcast explores the limitations of subjective and consensus-based moral knowledge. Subjectivity is seen as problematic due to the short lifespan and the issue of elevating oneself as the final moral arbiter. Consensus is also problematic as it can lead to dangerous outcomes, as exemplified by the reference to Nazi Germany. The absence of any transcendence in consensus-based moral systems is seen as a weakness. The speaker highlights the need for a higher source of ethics that is not dependent on power dynamics or societal agreements.
Dr. Jordan B Peterson sits down with mathematician, author, and theologian Dr. John Lennox. They discuss the axioms and dangerous aims of transhumanism, the interplay between ethical faith, reason, and the empirical world, that makes up the scientific endeavor, and the line between luciferian intellectual presumption and wise courageous exploration.
Dr. John Carson Lennox is a Northern Irish mathematician, bioethicist, and Christian apologist. He has written several books (Below), and was a professor at Oxford and Green Templeton College (Now retired) where he specialized in group theory. Lennox appeared in numerous debates with questions ranging from “Is God Good” to “Is There a God,” and faced off with academic titans such as Richard Dawkins, Michael Shermer, and Christopher Hitchens, among others. Lennox speaks four languages – English, German, French, and Russian, has written 70 peer-reviewed articles on mathematics, co-authored two Oxford Mathematical Monographs, and was noted for his role in translating Russian mathematics while working as a professor.
For Dr. John Lennox:
Website https://www.johnlennox.org/
The Oxford Center For Christian Apologetics https://www.theocca.org/
The Veritas Forum https://www.veritas.org/
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