Prof. Ravi Gomatam

About the talk: Modern science since its inception, has posted severe challenges to the theistic viewpoint, both by virtue of its strict naturalism, and its extra-ordinarily ever increasing technological successes. However, science has its own internal problems – scientific anti-realism and disconnect with the realm of values. In the words of physicist Freeman Dyson, the capacities of science to “disturb the universe” have far exceeded our capacity to remedy the disturbances we cause. Severely worsening environmental crises such as global warming, technology’s proclivity to convert available forms of energy into unavailable forms, and resulting shortages of natural resources, prospect of nuclear war, genetic engineering etc., are familiar enough themes for a call to link science to values.

The theologian has so far tried to introduce God into the discussion, not to help science solve the problem of values from within, but to argue that science by itself is not sufficient for humankind, that the theology of God also has to be added to complete the human viewpoint about nature. But this has been derided by scientists as the “God of the gaps”, quite rightly. I shall point out why introducing God is the first mistake of the theologian in relating science and religion; and what can be an exciting alternative for the theologian to do.

About the Speaker: Prof. Ravi Gomatam (aka Rasaraja dasa) has a distinguished background in both science and religion. He holds a masters degree in electronics engineering and a Ph.D. in foundations of quantum mechanics, and adjunct professor at BITS, Pilani. He is developing his own version of macroscopic quantum mechanics, and has published numerous papers on the subject. Recently, one of his papers was part of the syllabus for a course on QM at Brown University. For more information, visit his entry at the Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravi_Gomatam

Prof. Gomatam is also an ordained Vaishnava monk for over thirty years. He has co-edited a book on science & religion to which 35 international scholars including six Nobel Laureates have contributed. He has lectured in campuses throughout the world.