March 20 Science and Religion discussion

The Science and Religion Group met on March 20 to discuss the implications of quantum physics. We went through a presentation on the origins and basic concepts of quantum physics. Quantum physics arose out an effort to explain phenomena such as the photoelectric effect which were not adequately explained by classical physics. There developed from this the explanation of light as having both a wave and particle nature. Experiments exploring this dual nature demonstrated the role of the observer in determining the state of a system. When we don’t try to detect it light looks like a wave. Enter the observer and the wave nature collapses. Some have said that the determinism resulting from the collapse of the wave function demonstrates the presence of God. The same phenomena appear with a stream of sub-atomic particles.
In 1927 Heisenburg proposed his Uncertainty Principal i.e. It is impossible to measure simultaneously and with arbitrary precision both a particle’s position and velocity. The consensus interpretation of this principle is that what we conventionally think of as particles of matter are actually fuzzy statistical clouds governed by the laws of chance. The classical deterministic clockwork universe governed by laws of nature does not exist. Dissenters from this view, including Einstein, have proposed other explanations which attempt to account for a role for a divine hand. (“God does not play dice with the universe” – Einstein)
Quantum superposition or indeterminacy is an inherent result of the wave – particle duality. The state of a subatomic particle is undetermined until the observer looks. The observer and the observed are inextricably intertwined. This indeterminate state has been demonstrated experimentally. Experiments have succeeded in creating an atom that is in two places at once. Schrődinger’s cat thought experiment shows that these weird concepts from the subatomic world can have meaning in our macro world.
In Ian Barbour’s construct for thinking about these issues
· Conflict
o God’s hand in designing a deterministic universe
o The presence of chance at the quantum level
o More likely to occur in observational science such as astronomy and evolutionary biology than in experimental science such physics or chemistry.
· Independence
o The lessons of quantum theory demonstrate the limits of human knowledge
o Science is asking what, where and how whereas religion is asking why.
· Dialogue
o Quantum physics offers parallels to religious ideas-the role of the observer in affecting the outcome, holism
· Integration
o A closer relationship as exemplified by eastern religions such as Buddhism and quantum indeterminacy.

Other questions raised by these concepts are
1. What role does human consciousness play in observation?
2. What is the nature of reality? Is there a reality beyond our understanding?
3. What does it mean to be alive or dead?
We will meet again on April 5th to view and discuss the film “What the ‘Bleep’ Do We Know?”.