Published by Stephen Hawking is a modern theoretical physicist, well known for his work on black holes, theoretical cosmology, quantum physics, and quantum gravity. Despite being plagued by the horrific Lou Gerhig’s disease, Mr. Hawking is a forerunner in multiple scientific fields and a world-renown thinker. He is truly a man who has dedicated his life to science. He has written many popular books on science in which he discusses his own personal theories and cosmology in general. A Brief History of Time, his most successful work, stayed in the top seller list of the London Sunday Times for an astounding 237 weeks. An understanding of his past makes his comment, “I have been steeped in science all my life; now I am ready to pray,” all the more meaningful.
It seems as though, coming from such a strong science background, his paradigm would probably reflect that history. However, it’s as though he has reached a point in his life where he knows he is nearing his death, yet science has not answered all of his questions. I think it is particularly interesting that a man hardened and seasoned by science seems to be showing some reluctance in the scientific paradigm. The quote does not show regret that he spent his life pursuing science, but implies that he is now “ready” to accept some sort of religion, which he previously rejected. I think he means that he is ready to find some median between science and religion. He is not admitting that science is defunct, but allowing that there is room for religion. Perhaps because he dedicated his whole life to science it would be impossible for him to come to the conclusion that it didn’t mean anything.
I think science does mean something, and that most if not all things are or will be explainable by science. However, I don’t think that that means there is no room for religion or spirituality. A scientific outlook of the world can, at times, be bleak, and perhaps is not for everyone; which is where religion comes in. Religion can explain things to people in a way that science cannot, and perhaps never will be able to. I do not think religious texts should be taken as literal truth, and I frankly cannot understand how some people believe them to be the literal truth. Their paradigm seems so narrow and unaccommodating to me. That said, I think there is room for science and religion to coexist.
I think Stephen Hawking’s comment implies a belief that science can accommodate religion and vice-versa, but also that his paradigm has shifted from one of pure science to one that contains both. It also could lead to the question, “what is god?” Is god a miraculous all seeing being that is behind the scenes pulling all the strings? Or is god in everyone and everything affecting everything indirectly through everything else? Is God present in the depths of mathematics, or the laws of physics, or in the “miraculous” big bang? Does God exist?
