How Things Work: A Brief History of Reality
BOOK II: The Power of Three (Science & Religion) – Consideration #78. "The Judeo-Christian Tradition"
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Tuesday, April 11, 2023
“Science and religion are not at odds. Science is simply too young to understand.”
– Dan Brown (Angels & Demons)
PREFACE
Welcome Everybody!
Science gives us the “How” of reality. We sometimes make the mistake of thinking it gives us the “Why” of reality; however, that is not accurate.
Science tells us “How” life mutates and evolves over time, but it doesn’t tell us “Why” life exists. Science tells us “How” we perceive light, but it doesn’t tell us “Why” we perceive light. Science tells us “How” gravity works, but it doesn’t tell us “Why” gravity is. Science can tell us “How” string theory mathematically works, but it can’t tell us “Why” the strings vibrate. Science can explain “How” the universe was generated from a Big Bang, but not “Why” there was a Big Bang in the first place.
“How” is a question of process and mechanics; “Why” is an existential question. It directly connects to the idea of purpose. “Why?” is a religious, or spiritual, question. Once considered a “rational” question.
“Why?” is an existential question.
Because science has now become an almost completely “rational” consideration regarding “How” the universe, or reality, works, these kinds of “rational questions” have crept back into the “scientific method” in ways never previously seen in science. Digital Reality, Quantum Mechanics, and String Theory all push the boundary of empirical consideration regarding the objective physical world of empiricism into a rational consideration of possibility and existence itself. All three of these revolutionary sciences share a connection with one key element previously avoided by traditional science: consciousness.
Consciousness, like faith, is not empirical; you cannot put it under a microscope to see what it looks like and “How” it works. Now, these “rational” questions are no longer simply “theoretical” questions related to “theoretical” possibilities such as God. We are actively developing “machine consciousness” in the form of “artificial intelligence.” Quantum Mechanics and String Theory are currently pursuing the nature of consciousness at the subatomic level of quantum reality and “How” these theoretical entities affect our physical reality.
“What is the ‘rational purpose’ of it all?”
More and more, the traditional empirical questions typically associated with the scientific method, are transforming into abstract rational considerations traditionally reserved for religion. Evolving from questions related to “How” things work into new considerations related to “Why” they work that way. What is the essence of “Why” things are the way they are? What is the “rational purpose” of it all? The kind of questions originally asked by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The foundational questions of Western Civilization and the Judeo-Christian Tradition.
“…are science and religion still incompatible and incongruent paths for understanding the truth..?”
Reality itself, has literally forced science into an existential consideration of “Why” reality is. Essentially bringing us back to our original rational, metaphysical, and spiritual roots. Which brings us back to our current consideration; are science and religion still incompatible and incongruent paths for understanding the truth about reality?
CONSIDERATION #78. – The Judeo-Christian Tradition
Understanding the history of the Judeo-Christian tradition is not just a matter of religious belief. Whether or not you believe in God, the Bible, or any Church, the ideas and stories from these traditions helped to shape the Western world; they are embedded into our reality. Even in today’s scientific world over five billion people embrace these ideas, seeing them as the foundation for living a strong moral life. Western theology, philosophy, metaphysics, politics, science, reason, and ethical values all find roots in the Judeo-Christian moral and legal traditions. The essential distinction between science and religion is faith. However, in empirical terms, religion is also associated with power.
“The Church had a power no other earthly authority had; the power to condemn your soul to eternal hell forever!”
For centuries the Roman Catholic Church represented the essential power center in Europe. While there were kings and queens of various countries, they were all ultimately under the dominion of the Church. The Church had a power no other earthly authority had; the power to condemn your soul to eternal hell forever! If you were excommunicated from the Catholic Church, you were damned for all time no matter who you were or what position you held. To act against the Church was to lose not only your life, but your immortal soul as well.
“There was a time when the Roman Catholic Church controlled almost every aspect of society in Europe, including science.”
The Church’s power at this time was certainly as much political as spiritual. And it was absolute. There was a time when the Roman Catholic Church controlled almost every aspect of society in Europe, including science. However, with the Protestant Revolution, the emergence of the “New World,” and the rise of modern science with its amazing practical results, the Catholic Church began to see its power and influence dwindle. Soon, science and social science would overtake religion as the dominant influence in the modern Western world.
“God, the concept that was at the center of Aristotle’s original metaphysics, was fast becoming a fantasy…”
As more and more people began to think of science as the influence with all the “real” answers, secularism, humanism, and communism began to compete for dominance over religion. God, the concept that was at the center of Aristotle’s original metaphysics, was fast becoming a fantasy, the remnant of some former superstition. How could Christianity, and other religions, survive the rational onslaught of the new science and social sciences? How would the Church keep the paradox of God alive? How did the Church gain so much power in the first place? Is it even possible to know and understand the mystery called God? And most importantly for us, how much influence has the idea of God had on our current reality?
More than you might realize.
POSTSCRIPT
Next week we begin our consideration of Judeo-Christian influence with a consideration of the Jewish Tradition, which is also the roots of both Christianity and Islam. Our consideration of the Bible will be as a religious narrative. Starting with the “Old Testament” and the story of the Garden of Eden, and following the story and its influence in the world through Noah, Abraham, and Moses. It is critical to understand the basic narrative of the “Old Testament” to understand its connection to our concept of “law,” “representative government,” and to continue the narrative into the “New Testament.” In the New Testament, the narrative continues with Jesus and the final resolution to the Garden of Eden story.
“We consider the consequences and impact of a story that begins with ‘an eye for an eye,’ and ends with, ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.’”
Considered the “Greatest Story Ever Told” we will follow the narrative and consequences of its philosophy and influence. We consider the consequences and significance of a story that begins with “an eye for an eye,” and ends with, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” We consider a story that finds justice in “The Law,” and redemption in “forgiveness.” We consider the story that ultimately becomes the largest and most influential organized religion in the world.
“Known in the West as ‘The Book,’ or ‘The Bible.’”
Next week, we will begin to consider the story that has likely brought more love, and more hate, into the world than any other story ever told. The story of Western Civilization. The alpha and the omega. Known in the West as “The Book,” or “The Bible.” An ancient story reflecting the same concerns and questions we continue to consider today.
Next week we begin our consideration of the Biblical Narrative with a consideration of the Jewish tradition…
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Excerpt from Tomorrow’s Untangling the Knots of Reality – Podcast #42: "Untangling Locke’s Concept of Enlightened Government"
This Week on “The Thread”…
•Untangling the Knots of Reality Podcast: #42 "Untangling Locke’s Concept of Enlightened Government – Part 1" (“The first key concept Locke identifies is that something “greater” than “us” exists, and we obtain our “natural rights” from that “higher” rational authority; be it “God” or “Nature.” The point being that “government,” or any other “human endeavor” is “not” responsible for them. Therefore, rational logic demands that government cannot take them away. These “natural rights” are an inherent element of what it is to be a “human being.” We now often refer to these “inalienable” rights as “human” rights…” )
•Reality by a Thread Discussion Thread: Artificial Intelligence – Part 2 (“The only “self-aware” consciousness that we have ever known, or been exposed to, is biological. Biological entities that have inherent limitations in regard to consciousness... We now “use” computers to decrease these limitations; but the inherent limiting factor is “us.” In addition, biological entities have a “lifespan,” and then they die… Artificial Intelligence has no lifespan. What would happen to our reality if these limitations disappeared? Let’s consider the elements of Artificial Intelligence more closely...”)
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