Theology and Metaphysics in Sombre, Scientific Times
Karl Svozil
arXiv (Cornell University) September 14, 2018 preprint DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1809.05339 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that scientific findings—including consciousness and superhuman artificial intelligence from universal computation, virtual reality simulations, irreducible chance, and alien contact—have humiliated theology and forced reinterpretation of its guiding narratives. Proposes that a science-guided theology, offering options such as dualism or a 'curling or bowling deity' (creatio continua or ex nihilo), can lead to a better understanding of existence, grounded in the metaphysical enigma of existence that resists scientific challenge. |
Abstract
In view of the sobering findings of science, theology and to a lesser degree metaphysics is confronted with a humiliating loss, and a need for reinterpretation, of allegories and narratives which have served as guidance to the perplexed for millennia. Future revolutions of world perception might include the emergence of consciousness and superhuman artificial intelligence from universal computation, extensive virtual reality simulations, the persistence of claims of irreducible chance in the Universe, as well as contacts with alien species and the abundance of inhabited planets. As tragic and as discomforting as this might be perceived for the religious orthodoxy and by individual believers, a theology guided by science may lead us to a better and more adequate understanding of our existence. The post factum theological options are plentiful. These include dualistic scenarios, as well as (to quote Kelly James Clark), a curling or bowling deity, that is, creatio continua, or ex nihilo. These might be grounded in, or corroborated by the metaphysical enigma of existence, which appears to be immune and robust with respect to the aforementioned challenges of science.