Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 120 | Jeremy England on Biology, Thermodynamics, and the Bible
Oct 26, 2020
In this engaging discussion, physicist and ordained rabbi Jeremy England delves into the fascinating intersection of thermodynamics, biology, and the Hebrew Bible. He explores how entropy relates to the origins of life, advocating for a flexible definition of life itself. England sheds light on how energy dynamics influence evolution and self-organization in living systems. He also reflects on reconciling scientific inquiry with spiritual perspectives, showing how ancient texts can enhance our understanding of modern science.
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Different Scientific Languages
- Physics and biology use different approaches to understanding the world.
- Physics relies on quantifiable measurements, while biology starts with a qualitative concept of life.
Appropriate Languages for Science
- While reductionism is theoretically possible, using appropriate languages for specific tasks is crucial.
- Biology's high-level concepts are better expressed without resorting to particle-level descriptions.
Life's Complexity
- Life is more complex than typical physical phenomena, making simple, symmetrical theories inadequate.
- Studying individual lifelike behaviors, such as self-replication and energy harvesting, offers a better approach.
