Meghan Gilkey
Professor Pryor
November 12, 2013
Theology and Science Reflection The simple quote by Joey Lawsin, “The Duality of One is the Unity of two” says many things. There are many different ways we could relate this quote throughout our lives; but today I am choosing to relate it to science and religion. With this, Paul Davies is able to open up a dialogue of religion and science through his theoretical beliefs.
Ian Barbour proposes four different positions throughout his typology. The first perspective he talks about is conflict. Those who fall under the conflict category are those who try to prove religion with science. Many people who fall under this category are atheists, biblical literalists, and the media. The next position he discusses is independence. Independence separates science and religion, but says they can coexist if they keep a safe distance from the other. The third position is dialogue, which compares science and religion. It shows similarities and differences. The fourth and final position is integration. Integration consists of all the outside perspectives. Paul Davies is a theoretical physicist, astrobiologist, cosmologist, and a best-selling author. Currently, he is the “Principle Investigator for the Convergence of Physical Science and Cancer Biology, all at Arizona State University.” ("ASU") Before this, Davies held academic appointments at many universities, such as Cambridge, London, and Newcastle Tyne located in the UK. In 1990, Davies moved to Australia as a “Professor of Mathematical Physics at The University of Adelaide.” (“ASU”) Later on, he also helped found the Australian Centre for Astrobiology. Davies’s main research interests are the “big questions” in life. Ranging from the beginning of the universe, to the beginning of life, and almost anything that has to do with time. Davies has had many accomplishments throughout his lifetime, and has won many awards; such as the Templeton Prize in 1995, the Kelvin Medal in 2001 (from the UK institute of Physics), and they Michael Faraday Prize in 2002, just to name a few of the awards he has received.
I feel the concept of dialogue is fitting for Paul Davies because he views many things the same way that Einstein did. On page 22 of Tippetts text, Einstein declared “science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind.” (Tippet 22) I believe both Einstein and Davies to understand science and religion to be separate fields, but linked by many similarities. One thing in particular I have read that makes me believe Davies has a dialogue perspective is this quote;
“Science is based on the assumption that the universe is thoroughly rational and logical at all levels. Miracles are not allowed. This implies that there should be reasons for the particular laws of nature that regulate the physical universe. Atheists claim that the laws exist reasonlessly and that the universe is ultimately absurd. As a scientist, I find this hard to accept. There must be an unchanging rational ground in which the logical, orderly nature of the universe is rooted. Is this rational ground like the timeless God of Augustine? Perhaps it is. But in any case, the law-like basis of the universe seems a more fruitful place for a dialogue between science and theology than focusing on the origin of the universe and the discredited notion of what happened before the Big Bang.” (Davies) This proves that Davies believes there is a God, but not one who creates miracles. Based off of a lot of outside research over Paul Davies, I have come to the conclusion that he views Theology and Science from the same view as Einstein, which would be dialogistic. They both believe that religion and science are very important to our universe, and they sometimes cross each other’s paths along the way of learning and discovering. Davies has many of his own opinions with science, and still is working on them at Arizona State University. He has done many great things throughout his life, and I believe there are still more accomplishments headed his way.

Works Cited

"ASU." Biography. ASUComos. Web. 14 Nov 2013. <http://cosmos.asu.edu/biography>.

Davies, Paul. "beliefnet." What Happened Before the Big Bang? . N.p.. Web. 13 Nov 2013. <http://www.beliefnet.com/News/Science-Religion/2001/01/What-Happened-Before-The-Big-Bang.aspx

Tippit, Krista. Einstein's God: Conversations about the Science and the Human Spirit. New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated, 2010. 22. Print.