FRANK TIPLER'S PHYSICAL ESCHATOLOGY

Hans‐Dieter Mutschler; Hans‐Dieter Mutschler

doi:10.1111/j.1467-9744.1995.tb00086.x

Abstract

Abstract. Frank L. Tipler's book The Physics of Immortality is a striking attempt by a scientist to resolve the conflict between theology and science on the basis of a physicalist position that identifies theology as a branch of physics, and that calculates God “in exactly the same way as physicists calculate the characteristics of electrons.” Tipler's work may be seen as a scientistic myth, and its critique is organized around the three basic characteristics of such myths: (1) it is illogical in that it argues as if physics were in fact metaphysics; (2) it is grim in that its glorification of technology is insensitive to ethical issues; (3) it is meaningless in that its espousal of a strong theory of artificial intelligence empties concrete personal histories by subsuming them under abstractions that distort our understandings both of God and of resurrection.

Keywords

physicalism, metaphysics, computer, physics, reductionism

How to Cite

Mutschler, H., (1995) “FRANK TIPLER'S PHYSICAL ESCHATOLOGY”, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science 30(3), 479–490. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.1995.tb00086.x

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References

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