Dear colleagues: (apologies for cross-posting) The distinguished philosopher of physics, Hans Halvorson (Philosophy, Princeton University), will give a lecture: Does the universe need God?
At 5.30 on Wednesday 29 January, at: Queens Lecture Theatre, Emmanuel College. The abstract is below, and Details are at: http://www.faraday.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/Lectures.php. Best, Jeremy Butterfield -- ABSTRACT: Twentieth century physical cosmology made "the universe" into a precise theoretical object, governed by the laws of the general theory of relativity. But one result of this theoretical consolidation is that "the universe" becomes autonomous: it is neither brought into existence by some supernatural being, nor does its continued existence require any external intervention. Indeed, physical cosmology has no need for the hypothesis of a Creator or Sustainer of the universe. Shouldn't we then conclude that the universe has no need for God? On the contrary, I argue that the absence of God from physical cosmology provides no evidence against the existence of a divine Creator. In fact, if the universe and its laws are the result of a free, creative act of God, then God is not constrained by natural laws, and God should not occur as the explanans in any scientific account of the universe. ------ Jeremy Butterfield: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Butterfield Homepage: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/butterfield/ Trinity College, Cambridge CB2 1TQ Tel: 01223 761524 (office); 07557-668413 (mobile); NB: new mobile number. Visit the journal, Studies in the History and Philosophy of Modern Physics http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13552198 _____________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from the CamPhilEvents mailing list, or change your membership options, please visit the list information page: http://bit.ly/CamPhilEvents List archive: http://bit.ly/CamPhilEventsArchive Please note that CamPhilEvents doesn't accept email attachments. See the list information page for further details and suggested alternatives.
