E-Book Overview
The book explores the role of such ideas as probabilities, chance, randomness, and purpose, to approach the existence of God. Essentially, the thesis is that chance or determinism are not directly linked with the presence of God. The statistical explanations are interesting, but the book is flawed on many levels. Firstly, nowhere does the writer define what he means with the term "God". Simple as it may sound, it is an essential part of the discourse and to philosophically ignore it places the argumentative foundation in serious danger. Essentially, the writer falls victim of his own criticism of "taking variables for granted" when calculating probabilities. The book casually accepts a monotheistic - perhaps even a specifically Christian - version of "God" with all the associated shortsightedness this produces. Would the argument be different should we consider a different "God"? The answer must be yes. Secondly, the writer's approach to quantum mechanics is both outdated and flawed. It should come as no surprise that a statistician would opt for the ensemble interpretation of quantum mechanics, arguing that there is no paradox at all (e.g. with kittens in boxes or electrons passing through double slits), because, in his opinion, quantum mechanics do not apply to individual electrons - or kittens - but to vast numbers of them. The fact that he argues that, essentially, quantum mechanics - devised to be used with individual particles - should not apply to individual particles poses no problem or paradox to the him. All in all, it's an interesting to read book, with short chapters and not bloated with mathematics, but it's philosophically flawed and offers little to the age-old metaphysical questions of Who are we and Is there a God
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GOD, C HANCE AND PURPOSE
Scientific accounts of existence give chance a central role. At the smallest level, quantum theory involves uncertainty, and evolution is driven by chance and necessity. These ideas do not fit easily with theology, in which chance has been seen as the enemy of purpose. One option is to argue, as proponents of Intelligent Design do, that chance is not real and can be replaced by the work of a Designer. Others adhere to a deterministic theology in which God is in total control. Neither of these views, it is argued, does justice to the complexity of nature or the greatness of God. The thesis of this book is that chance is neither unreal nor non-existent but an integral part of God’s creation. This view is expounded, illustrated and defended by drawing on the resources of probability theory and numerous examples from the natural and social worlds. Davi d J. Ba rt h o lo m e w is Emeritus Professor of Statistics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His numerous publications include Measuring Intelligence: Facts and Fallacies (2004).
GOD, CHANCE AND PURPOSE Can God Have It Both Ways?
DAVID J. BARTHOLOMEW
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521880855 © David J. Bartholomew 2008 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published in print format 2008
ISBN-13 978-0-511-38620-6
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978-0-521-88085-5
hardback
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978-0-521-70708-4
paperback
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