Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 11, 1995 TAG: 9503150021
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID BRIGGS ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
This week, Davies' statement took on a prophetic tone as he became the third physicist to win the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion.
For Davies, author of the 1992 book ``The Mind of God'' and a professor of natural philosophy at the University of Adelaide in Australia, the $1 million prize represents an important affirmation that science is not the dehumanizing force it is often made out to be.
Rather, in a life's work as a scientist plumbing the mysteries of the universe, he has found evidence of a purpose and design to human existence.
``Whenever we look at science we realize what a wonderful universe it is,'' Davies said in an interview. ``It is deserving of awe and inspiration.''
The prize - the largest monetary award for achievement in any field - was established in 1972 by investment manager John Templeton to recognize individuals who advance the world's understanding of religion.
Previous winners have included such modern pillars of faith as Mother Teresa and the Rev. Billy Graham. Last year's winner was Michael Novak, a conservative Roman Catholic scholar.
But the prize also has been given to several scientists, including physicists Stanley Jaki in 1987 and Carl Friedrich von Weizsacker in 1989.
``The prize is not for saintliness or mere good works. It is for progress,'' says Templeton, the pioneer in global investing.
Davies admits he is not a churchgoer, nor is he interested in the ritual and practices of formal religion.
``For me, the important things are the nature of God, the nature of the universe,'' he said.
And while science is itself imperfect, Davies said he considers it the most reliable form of knowledge about the world.
In his own work exploring subjects ranging from the origin of the universe to the ability of human beings to understand math and science, he has found that that the idea of a world slavishly conforming to mechanistic principles is ``totally inadequate.''
Consider, he says, that even minor changes in the way the universe was put together might have destroyed any chances for conscious life.
``Einstein once said that the thing which most interested him was whether God had any choice in the form of his creation, by which he meant: Could the universe have been otherwise, or does it have to be what it is? The fact that this universe is as it is, in particular that the laws permit the emergence of conscious beings who can reflect on the meaning of it all, is surely a fact of immense significance,'' Davies said.
If that means religion cannot ignore scientific advances and hope to remain credible, evidence of design and order in the world also elevates the dignity of human beings, he said.
``For 300 years, science has had the effect of marginalizing human beings, even to the point of trivializing them,'' Davies said.
Deep study into the laws of physics reveals that human beings are also part of nature, and that there is an underlying purpose and significance to human existence.
``We have a genuine place in nature. I think this is cause for celebration,'' Davies said.
The discovery of a transcendent order in the universe also could lead to a change in human behavior, he said.
If people think there is no purpose or point in life, they are much more likely to act selfishly or with little concern for others. For some people, science can provide meaning to human existence, according to Davies.
``It matters for the universe that we're here, that we could wipe ourselves out,'' he said.
by CNB