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John Polkinghorne | |
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Author:
John Polkinghorne
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Author:
John Polkinghorne
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 Does not reconcile science and religion, 2009-10-27
The author pursues the idea that scientists and theologians share a common goal in the pursuit of truth. He points out that scientists , perhaps better than most theologians are able to live with not knowing something and may freely admit this and keep alive the hope that knowledge will eventually fill the gaps.
He avoids mentioning Karl Popper at all which I found incredible. Popper's concept of falsification , the possibility of an idea being contradicted by an experiment in the real word, is now fundamental to science. Of course that of which theologians speak has no repeatable presence in the real world only in people's minds and so there can never be an agreed truth in the way that science means the word. We all experience these things in our own isolation. Individually we must all inwardly follow the road that science has taken over the centuries but on our own, being our own research scientist.
The book does not reconcile science and religion but provides some food for thought.
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Author:
John Polkinghorne
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 Brilliant - and I've read a few books on this subject..., 2005-01-19
I have read a quite few 'pop science' books on this subject and this is the most lucid and enjoyable I have read. It encapsulates the main ideas so clearly and for once I understood the central mystery of quantum behaviour.I don't care about the error that another reviewer got excited about as it doesn't make any material difference to the level of understanding I wanted to get to. And, unlike another reviewer, I find Mr Tomkins both dull and patronising. This book, in contrast, is extremely well written and never patronising. I was extremely impressed and awed by the mastery of the subject the author has and that was demonstrated by the fact that he could explain the subject to a mathematical cretin like me...
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Author:
John Polkinghorne
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Physics + Theology do mix, 2010-01-16
A really well written, succinct account. I think it's accessible for both non-physicists and laity, apart from a few 'long words' in the first chapter.
Essentially JP draws a series of parallels between Quantum Physics and Theology concluding that the methodologies, human limitations and uncertainties make the two fields 'Cousins' (title of the last chapter): 'Our dissection of the truth-seeking strategies employed in science and theology has revealed significant underlying similarities between these two superficially different forms of rational enquiry, each concerned with its specific aspect of reality.' (p.105) '... the cousinly relationships that exist between different forms of creaturely truth-seeking endeavour derive ultimately from the fact that the universe was created as an ... integrated world, whose deep intelligibility and consistency is a manifestation of the divine Word ...' (p.109)
JP also touches on theodicy.
If you're interested in this subject(s!?) I would certainly recommend it.
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Modern Theories on Space and Time, 2009-05-11
This is an extremely interesting, up-to-date account of various approaches to understanding space and time, by some of the leading thinkers in the field. The first chapter is a description from the point of view of cosmology and astronomy, including a history of the subject since Einstein. The next three chapters are written by foremost mathematicians whose research has also spanned physics. They outline their varying ideas as to how space, time and quantum theory can be married to understand what has been observed. The second chapter explains the approach of Shahn Majid, which focusses on the foundational and conceptual aspects of the subject. In chapter four, Connes explains his viewpoint incorporating his ideas regarding the origin of particles and forces in physics. Chapter 3 expands on Roger Penrose's theories regarding quantum theory and cosmology. The final two chapters are more philosophical in nature and include theological motivations. The book has something for everyone interested in this field. Whilst some of the chapters hint at technicalities, this does not detract from what is a semi-popular account, and an excellent account of the different aspects of some of the most fundamental questions that we can ask.
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Author:
John Polkinghorne
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 Autobiography of a Remarkable yet "Ordinary" Life, 2008-02-04
Author, theologian and scientist John Polkinghorne describes his life as "ordinary". This is true only to the extent that an author of 30 books, Cambridge college president, honored physicist and theologian can be described as ordinary. As a warning, Polkinghorne's autobiography lacks drama and is more plainly and humbly written than the best of his science-theology work. It was difficult to get a sense of the intellectual passions and motivations that clearly make him more than ordinary. It is perhaps his own humility that prevents him from seeing this. While comfortable with great ideas he is largely unwilling to claim any greatness for himself. In contrast to his personal lack of glamor as he portrays it, are his honors as Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1997 and recipient of the 2002 Templeton Prize (for Progress Toward Research or Discoveries about Spiritual Realities). These show a man who is anything but ordinary in his willingness to embark on a great intellectual adventure. In a sense, I was disappointed by the lack of a clear statement of what motivated Polkinghorne to become such a prolific author. On consideration I realized that it is simply due to his quiet passion for writing, teaching and ideas.
While this is an honest and accessible book it will be of interest mostly to those who are already familiar with or deeply interested in Polkinghorne's theological writings. In particular the chapter "Theological Writing" is an important guide in sorting out his many books for interested readers. Some of his more accessible recent works such as "Belief in God in an Age of Science" or "Quantum Physics and Theology: An Unexpected Kinship" are actually more engaging and among the better places to start for most readers.
Polkinghorne's decision to transition from academic physicist to priest (starting seminary at age 49 in 1979) is described in simple terms of prayerfully and thoughtfully pursuing a career that he felt would be a source of "deep satisfaction" to him as a Christian believer. Most interesting to me is that the question of the interaction of science and religion was apparently not of particular importance to his decision to enter the priesthood. Also remarkably, his wife Ruth returned to school at the same time at age 48 to train as a nurse. After serving enjoyable though relatively brief stints as a curate and parish priest in local parishes Polkinghorne returned to an academic setting to serve as Dean of Chapel at Trinity Hall. He subsequently served as President of Queens' college until his retirement in 1996. His years as priest and academic allowed him the time to write a series of more than 20 well regarded books on the intersection of science and religion.
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Author:
John Polkinghorne, Nicholas Beale
By Westminster/John Knox Press,U.S.
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Fascinating food for thought, 2010-07-06
I am ashamed to say that this is actually the first book I have read by John Polkinghorne even though he is the author of no less than 26 books and has been prominent in the public square for decades . John Pokinghorne is an eminent and world respected Physicist/Priest based in Cambridge and is arguably one of the most repected thinkers on the interaction between science and faith.
This particular book is co-authored by him and his longtime collegue and friend Nicholas Beale, a social philosopher. The book has a very unique approach as the majority of the material is in a Q and A format with three substantial appendices. The idea for the book arose from John's website which is run by Beale. Over the years people from around the world emailed them questions and both of them provided responses to them on the website and via emails. The amount of material they got from these questions and responses was then adapted for this book with some adjustments and more detailed responses in the appendices.
Each chapter contains some very thoughtful questions from various people and equally thoughtful responses from the two authors. Some particularly interesting questions are included such as Why is evolution so wasteful? Was the tsunami an act of God? How can something come from nothing? Why is there cancer? The authors make it clear from the beginning that they offer responses and not answers to the issues discussed. To most of these questions, there are no textbook answers but christians can at least offer reasoned and thoughtful responses to some of the deepest questions of existence that make sense of the world and that aren't just blind leaps of faith. A very useful element to this book is that at the end of each chapter there are many recommended books for further study on the relevent topics.
The last part of this book includes 3 appendixes that go into great detail and depth. These are based on a couple of the questions raised previously in the book that bring up particularly vast and important topics. Appendix A is centred on anthropic fine-tuning and the various explanations of the phenomenon based on contemporary physics and cosmology. Beale and Polkinghorne take a fascinating look at the multiverse hypothesis and Richard Dawkins objections to the fine-tuning argument in the god delusion. They then discuss and critique Lee Smolin's ideas on cosmic natural selection and conclude that the theistic explanations makes the most sense out of out current understanding of the issue. Appendix B tackles the issues of the brain and mind taking the view of dual aspect monism. Beale examines and refutes the views of materialist reductionists from research into conciousness and its relationship to the body and goes into issues such as whether the brain is deterministic or not. This part of the book is particularly complex and deep which some readers my have trouble with but is nonetheless useful and insightful. The last appendix is on evolution and tackles the common myth that Darwin forced christians to reinterpret the book of Genesis because it didn't support a literal reading. There are some fascinating ideas discussed in this chapter such as chance and necessity, the evolutionary benefits of religion and genetic determinism. At the end of the book there is a glossary provided with definitions of some of the scientific terms used to help the reader.
The attention and reviews to Questions of Truth were very interesting indeed. Some notable reviews were from british Atheist Julian Baggini who gave it a moderately favourable review and a surprisingly negative one from Atheist philosopher AC Grayling. Grayling's review consists of no more than fallacious objections and mockery at the two authors and the material in the book. He dismisses the book and doesn't even try to honestly deal with any of the arguments apart from a terrible analogy to dismiss fine-tuning. Too bad!
This is a complex and fascinating read and although difficult in areas it provides some thought provoking ideas. Some readers will wish to dip in and out of the book picking out the questions that they are interested in. Overall this is a highly important contribution to the debate!
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Author:
John Polkinghorne
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Worth Reading, 2003-01-19
Worth reading, there is plenty to make you think, lots that makes sense, but a good deal that doesn't mesh with the God I know from experience and from the Bible. This is not to say that it is incorrect (although I suspect some of it is!), just not in line with my (limited) understanding and experience that I cannot just dismiss on the basis of human wisdom / philosophy.Nevertheless - there is plenty in this book for people - probably Christians in particular - who feel the need to ignite some trains of thought on the subject. Even something so obvious as the difference between 'How' and 'Why' questions helps with understanding Science in the context of Christian understanding and experience.
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