LETTERS: Science and religion never stopped talking to one another
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.I WAS pleased to read Martin Redfern's article ("Proofs of God in a Photon?" Review, 24 December), outlining the positions adopted by scientists on whether science possesses any implications for religion.
Although he is correct in identifying a recent renaissance of interest in the subject, his historical introduction appears to suggest that the topic has been off people's agendas since the early 17th century. On the contrary, there has been a flow of works engaging these subjects during the intervening centuries. Some books, such as William Paley's Natural Theology (1802) or the many works commenting on the theological significance of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, have been good (if not best) sellers.
I was surprised that Mr Redfern connects the current dispute to what he sees as the challenge to Cartesian dualism by the rise of quantum mechanics. Although some of the protagonists do indeed hitch their views to this issue, it is inadequate to account for the variety of positions adopted by other writers, especially those he labels as "believers". Moreover, in surveying the history of science and religion, the theme of dualism turns out to be relatively peripheral - even, perhaps, a red herring.
Professor Geoffrey Cantor
Philosophy Department, University of Leeds
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments