Some Central Themes Some Central Themes of the Courseof the Course

Order and ChaosOrder and Chaos

Nature acts in an orderly way …Nature acts in an orderly way …most of the time.most of the time.

Examples of the disorderly / Examples of the disorderly / unexpected event…unexpected event…

How do humans cope with the How do humans cope with the unexpected event? unexpected event?

What kind of structures are What kind of structures are employed? employed?

Science and ReligionScience and Religion

How are they different?How are they different? How are they the same?How are they the same? Why did humans (esp in the Why did humans (esp in the

West) turn away from Religion West) turn away from Religion and rely (at least nominally on and rely (at least nominally on Science to explain our place in Science to explain our place in the cosmos? the cosmos?

Critical Moments: The major Critical Moments: The major contributions ofcontributions of

Greek philosophers / scientistsGreek philosophers / scientists The medieval church and churchmenThe medieval church and churchmen Copernicus, GalileoCopernicus, Galileo Descartes, NewtonDescartes, Newton The entrepreneurs and industrialists of The entrepreneurs and industrialists of

the 19the 19thth and 20 and 20thth Centuries Centuries Darwin, SpencerDarwin, Spencer Relativity, indeterminacy (uncertainty)Relativity, indeterminacy (uncertainty)

The quantum The quantum revolutionrevolution Schrödinger—1920sSchrödinger—1920s Bohr and Heisenberg Bohr and Heisenberg

Memorable Memorable statements…statements…

From a sacred text…From a sacred text…

I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in all your places, [famine] yet you did not return to me, says the LORD. Amos

The earth is established immovably… Psalms,93.1

On scientific On scientific cosmology…cosmology… By the assumption of what uniform and By the assumption of what uniform and

ordered motions can the apparent (i.e., ordered motions can the apparent (i.e., "erratic") motions of the planets be "erratic") motions of the planets be accounted foraccounted for. Plato. Plato

Finally Jupiter has four roving stars, which Finally Jupiter has four roving stars, which vary their places in a remarkable way both vary their places in a remarkable way both among themselves and with respect to among themselves and with respect to Jupiter--as Galileo Galilei carefully and Jupiter--as Galileo Galilei carefully and accurately describes. Since things are thus, accurately describes. Since things are thus, astronomers ought to consider how the astronomers ought to consider how the celestial orbs may be arranged in order to celestial orbs may be arranged in order to save these phenomenasave these phenomena. Clavius. Clavius

On method…On method…

All things being equal, the simplest All things being equal, the simplest solution tends to be the best onesolution tends to be the best one. . William of Ockham = Ochkam’s razorWilliam of Ockham = Ochkam’s razor

We are to admit no more causes of natural things such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances. . NewtonNewton

By method I mean certain and simple By method I mean certain and simple rules such that if a man observe them rules such that if a man observe them accurately he shall never assume what is accurately he shall never assume what is false is truefalse is true. Descartes. Descartes

Science, Religion and Science, Religion and

Enlightenment ValuesEnlightenment Values.. Let us make man in our image, after our Let us make man in our image, after our

likeness; and let them have likeness; and let them have dominiondominion over…all the earth…and so God created over…all the earth…and so God created man in his own image; in the image of man in his own image; in the image of God he created himGod he created him. Gen 1.24.. Gen 1.24.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men were created equal and are that all men were created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life inalienable rights, among them life liberty and the pursuit of happinessliberty and the pursuit of happiness. . Jefferson.Jefferson.

On the domination of On the domination of the west…the west… Gentlemen, we must speak more Gentlemen, we must speak more

loudly and more honestly! We must loudly and more honestly! We must say openly that indeed the higher say openly that indeed the higher races have a right over the lower races have a right over the lower races .... I repeat, that the superior races .... I repeat, that the superior races have a right because they races have a right because they have a duty. They have the duty to have a duty. They have the duty to civilize the inferior races .... civilize the inferior races .... Julien Ferry

The business of the corporate state is The business of the corporate state is eugenicseugenics – Adoph Hitler – Adoph Hitler

It’s a scientific fact!It’s a scientific fact! James Burke James Burke In order to obtain a certain result, you In order to obtain a certain result, you

must want to obtain precisely that must want to obtain precisely that result; if you want to obtain a certain result; if you want to obtain a certain result, you will obtain it .... I need only result, you will obtain it .... I need only such people as will obtain the results I such people as will obtain the results I needneed. Lysenko. Lysenko