The Physics of Theism: God, Physics, and the Philosophy of Science

Theologians and philosophers of religion have become increasingly interested in science, and especially in the area of physics. From the fine–tuning of universal constants to quantum mechanics, relativity, and cosmology, physics is a subject surprisingly widespread in its connection to the area of religion. Bridging the gap between these fields, however, has proven to be problematic; those in religion and the humanities typically interact with the mathematical sciences only at a popular level, and physicists are often dismissive of metaphysics and religion. The Physics of Theism offers a significant and necessary middle ground between these disciplines, presenting a critical analysis of the ways in which physics is intertwined within matters of religion. Bringing clarity to often complex arguments, Koperski covers a broad range of issues which include divine action, free will, the fine–tuning argument, naturalism, the laws of nature, the relation between science and religion, and the controversy over Intelligent Design. The text is ideal for both students and scholars, providing the appropriate level of explanation of arguments to provide a starting point for research, while at the same time delivering an important contribution to current scholarship.

Introduction Chapter I. Science and Religion: Some Preliminaries A. Conventional Wisdom B. History C. The Structure of Science D. The Relation between Science and Religion Chapter II. Fine–Tuning and Cosmology A. What is Fine–Tuning B. Examples C. No Explanation Needed D. Naturalistic Explanations Chapter III. Relativity, Time, and Free Will A. Physics and Freedom B. STR and the Nature of Time C. Contra the Block Universe D. Two Suggestions from the Philosophy of Science Chapter IV. Divine Action and the Laws of Nature A. Divine Intervention? B. The Problems with Intervention C. The Nature of the Laws of Nature D. Noninterventionist Divine Action E. Quantum Determination: Pro and Con F. Noninterventionism: Goring the Sacred Cow G. Intervention and Determinism Chapter V. Naturalisms and Design A. Science, Myths, and Legends B. Intelligent Design C. It’s not Science D. Faulty Demarcation E. The Real Problems F. A Last Word on Conservatism Chapter VI. Reduction and Emergence A. Nothing but Atoms? B. The Rise of Reductionism C. Popping the Reductionist Bubble D. Emergence E. Problems and Puzzles F. Physics, Causes, and Levels G. Theology and Emergence Chapter VII. The Philosophy of Science Tool Chest A. Tools B. Realism and Truth C. Antirealism D. Realism and Religion E. Models F. Faith, Reason, and Trust G. Anomalies and Mystery

Jeffrey Koperski is Professor of philosophy at Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan. While his early work in the philosophy of science focused on chaos theory, he has more recently moved into issues at the intersection of the philosophy of science and the philosophy of religion.  He is an editorial board member for Philosophy Compass and has published articles in Philosophy of Science , the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science , and Zygon , among others.