Laws of Nature, Laws of God? Proceedings of the Science and Religion Forum Conference, 2014

This seventh book in the series Conversations in Science and Religion consists of papers initially presented at the September 2014 conference of the Science and Religion Forum, but rewritten for publication. The title reflects the fact that, up to the time of Newton, scientific laws were regarded as having been laid down by God, as instructions to the matter in His universe as to how it should behave. When, even now, a scientific law is described as being 'obeyed', that idea is echoed. However, today, scientific laws are usually considered to arise 'bottom up', from the properties of matter in its diverse forms, non-living and living. Nevertheless, the religious cast of mind sees just as much to revere and worship in the glorious activities and beauties of the world explored by science as it did in earlier times. Professor Eric Priest, FRS, of St Andrews, an astrophysicist, evinces just such an outlook upon his studies of the sun. Professor Tom McNeish FRS (Durham) finds, in both modern and mediaeval physics, resonances with Old Testament writings, notably the Book of Job. Professor John Henry (Edinburgh) explores the changing views of Natural Laws from classical to modern times. Dr. Jon Topham (Leeds) presents a case study of the 19th century Bridgewater Treatises, which were intended to show how science revealed the divine mind, but interpreted this remit in highly individual ways. Professor Nancy Cartwright, FBA (Durham and San Diego), in the prestigious Gowland Lecture, presents a challengingly individual philosophical assessment of the status of Laws of Nature in 21st century thought. Nine shorter papers, from Britain and overseas, extend the discussion to such topics as biology and mathematics, the concepts of Continuous Creation, Fine Tuning and Intelligent Design, the tension between dualist and Trinitarian outlooks, and prayer. The volume is introduced by the Editor, Professor Neil Spurway (Glasgow), a past chairman of the Forum, who outlines more standard philosophical accounts of scientific laws, in preparation for several of the above papers - especially Professor Cartwright's. It should be noted that one view signally absent from the whole book is the New Atheist assumption that science and religion are at loggerheads.