HAWKING ON GOD AND PHYSICAL THEORY

Robert J. Deltete; Robert J. Deltete

doi:10.1111/j.1467-9744.1995.tb00099.x

Research Articles
HAWKING ON GOD AND PHYSICAL THEORY

Abstract

Abstract. When queried about his objectives, the celebrated theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking has replied, “My goal is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.” In this essay, I comment on what Hawking has to say about the role of God in the understanding he seeks. I draw from his popular writings and pronouncements, since both are peppered with references to God and with statements about what God can and cannot do. In particular, I focus on his most recent collection of essays intended for a general audience. I argue that the theological implications Hawking has drawn from his cosmological models are shallow and that the narrow naturalistic path he has taken is inadequate to the large task he has set for himself.

Keywords

quantum cosmology, S.W. Hawking, God

How to Cite

Deltete, R., (1995) “HAWKING ON GOD AND PHYSICAL THEORY”, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science 30(4), 635–642. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.1995.tb00099.x

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References

Adler, J., G.Lubenow, and M.Malone. 1988. “Reading God's Mind. Newsweek , 13 June, 56–59.

Deltete, R.1993a. “What Does the Anthropic Principle ExplainPerspectives on Science 1: 285–305.

Deltete, R.1993b. “Hawking on God and Creation. Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science 28 (December): 485–506.

Deltete, R., and R.Guy. Forthcoming. “Much Ado about Nothing: A Critique of Quantum Cosmogenesis. Perspectives on Science .

Ferguson, K.1993. Stephen Hawking: Quest for a Theory of Everything. New York : Bantam Books.

Hawking, S. W.1988. A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes. New York : Bantam Books.

Hawking, S. W.1993. Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays. New York : Bantam Books.

Leslie, J.1989. Universes. London : Routledge.

Page, D. N.1988. “Hawking's Timely Story. Nature 332 (21 April): 742–43.

Rolston, Holmes, III. 1991. Review of J. Leslie, Universes, and Physical Cosmology and Philosophy, ed. J.Leslie ( New York : Macmillan, 1990). Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science (26 June): 317–24.

White, W., and J.Gribbin. 1992. Stephen Hawking: A Life in Science. New York : Bantam Books.

Authors

Robert J. Deltete (Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science)

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Volume 30 • Issue 4 • December 1995

Publication details

Pages	635–642

Dates

Published	1995-12-01

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.1995.tb00099.x

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