Paul Dirac was one of the giants of physics in the 20th century. He made fundamental contributions to our understanding of quantum theory, along with Einstein, Heisenberg, Pauli, Schrodinger, and others. In the 1920's, before the current age of Big Science, the world's leading physicists could sit down in a room together, apparently, and discuss such idle topics as politics and religion. A
Wiki article relates the story of one such conference, quoted from Heisenberg's book. I thought it was pretty funny (make sure to read until the end):
"...Dirac said:
| “ | I cannot understand why we idle discussing religion. If we are honest—and scientists have to be—we must admit that religion is a jumble of false assertions, with no basis in reality. The very idea of God is a product of the human imagination. It is quite understandable why primitive people, who were so much more exposed to the overpowering forces of nature than we are today, should have personified these forces in fear and trembling. But nowadays, when we understand so many natural processes, we have no need for such solutions. I can't for the life of me see how the postulate of an Almighty God helps us in any way. What I do see is that this assumption leads to such unproductive questions as why God allows so much misery and injustice, the exploitation of the poor by the rich and all the other horrors He might have prevented. If religion is still being taught, it is by no means because its ideas still convince us, but simply because some of us want to keep the lower classes quiet. Quiet people are much easier to govern than clamorous and dissatisfied ones. They are also much easier to exploit. Religion is a kind of opium that allows a nation to lull itself into wishful dreams and so forget the injustices that are being perpetrated against the people. Hence the close alliance between those two great political forces, the State and the Church. Both need the illusion that a kindly God rewards—in heaven if not on earth—all those who have not risen up against injustice, who have done their duty quietly and uncomplainingly. That is precisely why the honest assertion that God is a mere product of the human imagination is branded as the worst of all mortal sins. | ” |
Heisenberg's view was tolerant. Pauli, raised as a Catholic, had kept silent after some initial remarks, but when finally he was asked for his opinion, said: "Well, our friend Dirac has got a religion and its guiding principle is 'There is no God and Paul Dirac is His prophet.'" Everybody, including Dirac, burst into laughter."
Dirac's Religion
ReplyDeleteI did read the post through the last paragraph, and drew from it that the point is that, to declare knowledge that there is no God, and religion is a sham, is another belief set.
Dirac's religion is, however, a widespread dogma, and, as one from a sect of the opposite faith system, I express just a couple of counterpoints to those in the post by Dirac.
I see, in his statement of understanding that "…primitive people, who were so much more exposed to the overpowering forces of nature than we are today, should have personified those forces in fear and trembling", a curious point and a misunderstanding (at least of my religion). As we stand practically helpless before the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, and unable to prevent the hurricanes and floods along the Gulf Coast, nor the tornados sweeping across our country…as man seems unable to control terrible droughts happening now in parts of this world while flooding overwhelms other parts, it is interesting that Dirac believed we were no longer "exposed to the overpowering forces of nature" as were those primitive people. I can already hear the retort…"we scientists are just saying we can now tell you what causes these forces of nature, and it's not God…". But, you can't (with any degree of accuracy) predict them, control them, cause them not to happen…in other words, you have less power. This is the fundamental separation between atheism and deism. One believes that man (at least the intelligentsia) is the supreme power, while the other believes that there is power and reason beyond and above man.
Dirac, in that statement, also sees the opposite relationship between controlling government and class warfare, and religion. Despots and social classes have, most often throughout time, ruled and coerced populations through two means: power and force, and/or controlling the material means of existence. Indeed, most despots and leaders in general, try to hold power through fear…of their own force, or protecting the population from a declared enemy (listen to our own elections…it's all about fear). And their opium is the promise to give back to the population a portion of what they have taken from them (again, either by force or taxation), and stability. These political leaders are not above using the cloak of religion when it supports their rule, but most abhor it.
My religion, in contrast, does not teach fear, but rather faith. That faith, Christianity, is in a higher purpose, power and reason than even a great physicist. It can almost be refined to one word…Love, from which emanates compassion, forgiveness and peace, and those withstand the overpowering forces of nature, as well as ultimately overpower the rule of man. And, especially on this day, my faith has taught me not to fear, not even death itself. So, to my Christian friends, Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia, amen…To my Jewish friends, Happy Passover. And to my atheist friends, Happy Dirac Day.
The Old Man
I suppose I should clarify the reason I posted: I was reading about Paul Dirac, and I thought the witty retort by Dirac's Catholic friend, Pauli, was funny enough to share.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't trying to argue in favor of one position or another, and at the time I posted it hadn't occurred to me that Easter Sunday was approaching. I hope all my Christian friends had a happy Easter, my Jewish friends a happy Passover, and my atheist friends a restful Sunday morning!
Perhaps strangely enough, Freyguy, your witty anecdote puts me in mind of the "exchange" between Einstein, Bohr, and Hawkins on Einstein's famous remark. Here's one version I've heard:
ReplyDeleteAlbert Einstein said, "God does not play dice with the universe." (Der lieber Gott nicht werfelt).
Niels Bohr retorted, "Stop telling God what to do with his dice."
And Stephen Hawking later commented, "Not only does God play dice, but... he sometimes throws them where they cannot be seen."