What does this have to do with neurotheology? Insofar as God is
generally defined as the Prime Mover or first principle of reality,
God is by definition real, and thus a part of the real universe. And
because this first principle is by definition primary — because there
is by definition no preexisting reality to contain it — reality cannot
properly include it. So the real universe must coincide with God;
scientific knowledge is theological knowledge, and science a form of
theology. It follows that our ability to use science to better the
plight of our species - our capacity to know God and to help others
know God — is part of what makes us "special". And where true science
is a key ingredient of our claim to metaphysical distinctiveness, our
place in the hierarchy of being cannot be threatened by science done
thoroughly, correctly, and without a priori restrictions on our role
in the scheme of things.
But what is that role? Where does humanity fit into the scheme even
now being revealed to us by science.. .we, who have lately found
ourselves reduced to the wearing of metaphysical sackcloth? It turns
out that in a certain precise sense, we are microsms, images of the
universe within the universe. And because of the symmetric connection
between source and image, cosmos and microcosm, we function as agents
through whom the universe realizes its being. We are its children and
heirs, poised on the threshold of adulthood and charged with shaping
Destiny itself, with helping the living universe choose its form and
content from a background of undifferentiated potential. Though eons
removed from the moment of creation, we actively retrodict it, sending
the power of our minds back through time to help the Prime Mover, our
parent and provider, selfcreatively embody the universe we inhabit.
On the Perils of Metaphysical Skysurfing without a Parachute.
generally defined as the Prime Mover or first principle of reality,
God is by definition real, and thus a part of the real universe. And
because this first principle is by definition primary — because there
is by definition no preexisting reality to contain it — reality cannot
properly include it. So the real universe must coincide with God;
scientific knowledge is theological knowledge, and science a form of
theology. It follows that our ability to use science to better the
plight of our species - our capacity to know God and to help others
know God — is part of what makes us "special". And where true science
is a key ingredient of our claim to metaphysical distinctiveness, our
place in the hierarchy of being cannot be threatened by science done
thoroughly, correctly, and without a priori restrictions on our role
in the scheme of things.
But what is that role? Where does humanity fit into the scheme even
now being revealed to us by science.. .we, who have lately found
ourselves reduced to the wearing of metaphysical sackcloth? It turns
out that in a certain precise sense, we are microsms, images of the
universe within the universe. And because of the symmetric connection
between source and image, cosmos and microcosm, we function as agents
through whom the universe realizes its being. We are its children and
heirs, poised on the threshold of adulthood and charged with shaping
Destiny itself, with helping the living universe choose its form and
content from a background of undifferentiated potential. Though eons
removed from the moment of creation, we actively retrodict it, sending
the power of our minds back through time to help the Prime Mover, our
parent and provider, selfcreatively embody the universe we inhabit.
On the Perils of Metaphysical Skysurfing without a Parachute.
