Abstract
Quantum mechanics (QM) is a favourite area of physics to feature in
‘science and religion’ discussions. We argue that this is at least partly because the arcane results of QM can be deployed to make big theological claims by the linguistic sleight of hand of ‘register switching’ – sliding imperceptibly from technical into everyday language using the same vocabulary. We clarify the discussion by deploying the formal mapping of QM into classical statistical mechanics (CSM) via the mathematical device of ‘Wick rotation’. This equivalence between QM and CSM suggests caution in claiming distinctiveness for quantum theologising. After outlining two areas in which quantum insights nevertheless resonate with longstanding themes in theological reflection (hiddenness and visualisability), we suggest that both QM and CSM point to a theology of science in which scientists participate in the divine gaze on creation as imago Dei.
‘science and religion’ discussions. We argue that this is at least partly because the arcane results of QM can be deployed to make big theological claims by the linguistic sleight of hand of ‘register switching’ – sliding imperceptibly from technical into everyday language using the same vocabulary. We clarify the discussion by deploying the formal mapping of QM into classical statistical mechanics (CSM) via the mathematical device of ‘Wick rotation’. This equivalence between QM and CSM suggests caution in claiming distinctiveness for quantum theologising. After outlining two areas in which quantum insights nevertheless resonate with longstanding themes in theological reflection (hiddenness and visualisability), we suggest that both QM and CSM point to a theology of science in which scientists participate in the divine gaze on creation as imago Dei.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 265-284 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | Zygon |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 15 Feb 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2023 |