In Search of Divine Reality: Science as a Source of Inspiration

by Lothar Schäfer

Overview

The message of modern physics is that physical reality has, at its frontiers, all the aspects of a transcendent order. At the foundation of things, elementary particles can exert instantaneous long-distance influences on each other, can be meaningfully said to have mind-like properties, and can exist in states which are, as Heisenberg wrote, “not quite real, but between the idea of a thing and a real thing.” Thus, just as dead atoms form living organisms and stupid molecules form intelligent brains, metaphysical entities form physical reality. This remarkable book clearly explains the concepts of quantum physics in order to show how science and spirituality are not separate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610752022
Publisher:	University of Arkansas Press
Publication date:	08/01/1997
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	253
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Lothar Schäfer is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Arkansas.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Contents Preface Introduction I. In Search of the Transcendental Elements of Human Knowledge 1. The Composite Nature of Knowledge II. In Search of Transcendental Physical Reality 2. The Wave-Particle Duality III. In Search of Transcendental Human Nature 3. The Human Mystery 4. Chance and Necessity IV. Divine Reality 5. The Importance of the Self-Conscious Mind 6. Healing the Wound Epilogue and Summary Appendixes References Index

Editorial Reviews

"Schäfer’s book . . . aims to show how some traditional religious and philosophical notions can be understood or redefined in terms of modern science. . . . One of the clearest introductory explanations of quantum mechanics on the market." —Quentin Smith, co-author of Theism, Atheism, and Big Bang Cosmology


"A clear and fascinating account of why the ideas of modern physics lead [Schäfer] to a transcendent view of the nature of reality." —Sir John Polkinghorne, president emeritus and Fellow of Queen’s College, Cambridge University


"Lothar Schäfer’s . . . claim that modern physics provides persuasive evidence of a universe permeated by mind is both challenging and vigorously argued." —John Brooke, Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion, Oxford University


"In Search of Divine Reality . . . brings in elements of information and discussion that are extremely valuable and not easily found in other books." —Bernard d’Espagnat, professor emeritus of physics, University of Paris

From the Publisher