Deistic valences in Stephen Hawking's thought Cover Image

Valențe deiste în gândirea lui Stephen Hawking
Deistic valences in Stephen Hawking's thought

Author(s): Petre Ştefan
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Eastern Orthodoxy
Published by: EDITURA ARHIEPISCOPIEI DUNĂRII DE JOS
Keywords: origin and meaning of the human existence; Stephen Hawking; evolutionary theory; science; orthodox theology; deism;

Summary/Abstract: Today, the answer to the meaning of human existence is more uncertain than ever, not because of the denial of meaning, but because of the multitude of meanings and paths that are proposed. Paradoxically, the plurality of principles means their absence, just as polytheism is equivalent to atheism. Therefore, as far as the meaning of human existence is concerned, Stephen Hawking sometimes declares himself an atheist, but he basically promotes deism, which denies God by affirming Him. He denies God by affirming Him the way He is not. The science developed by Hawking provides the premises of a worship system, that is, a new religious view without God. He cannot give an accurate image of the human goal, because he cannot explain the origin of creation either. Hawking believes that the universe will end suddenly, but the Divine Revelation speaks not of the end but of transfiguration. In his way of describing reality, Hawking places God under human dignity, because he sees Him as an object that can be controlled. Finally, he sees the meaning of human existence in the complete knowledge of creation which could not give man more than any creature could.

  • Issue Year: XXI/2023
  • Issue No: 21
  • Page Range: 269-283
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Romanian