Browsing by Author "Kuhn, Robert Lawrence, interviewer"

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Open Access
Do general principles govern all science?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Rolston, Holmes, 1932-2025, interviewee; Kuhn, Robert Lawrence, interviewer; The Kuhn Foundation; Getzels Gordon Productions, producer
Robert Lawrence Kuhn interviews: Geoffrey West, physicist, Santa Fe Institute, on complex adaptive systems. Martin Rees, astrophysics, Cambridge University, on complex systems resulting from simple laws. Stuart Kauffman, theoretical biologist, Santa Fe Institute and University of Calgary, on super-critical complex systems, molecular and economic. Holmes Rolston, III, philosopher, Colorado State University, on three Big Bangs: matter-energy, life, human mind, genesis of cognitive complexity, revealing a Logos in creation. (Rolston interview starts at 15 minutes, 20 seconds.) David Deutsch, physicist, Oxford University, on good explanations in general systems theory. Among the conclusions: As we get closer to truth, everything seems more interconnected. God is consistent with these general principles, but not required for them.
Open Access
If God exists, why natural evil?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Rolston, Holmes, 1932-2025, interviewee; Kuhn, Robert Lawrence, interviewer; The Kuhn Foundation; Getzels Gordon Productions, producer
Holmes Rolston interviewed by Robert Kuhn on Closer to Truth. Filmed at Helsingor, Denmark, 2011. If God exists, why is there so much suffering in the natural world? Because creativity is impossible without challenge that includes forms of suffering. You cannot achieve the rich genesis in evolutionary natural history without such challenge. Eyes, ears, teeth, legs, muscles evolve to search for food, to seek prey and to avoid predators. The struggle for adapted fit is struggling through to something higher. Biblical faith similarly finds creative suffering. The name Israel means "he who struggles with God," and God struggles to redeem Israel. Jesus lives in creative struggle to become God incarnate, and dies to redeem from sin. The creation is cruciform in that it necessarily requires life and death struggle. Light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it. The way of nature is the way of the cross.
Open Access
Why science & religion think differently
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Rolston, Holmes, 1932-2025, interviewee; Kuhn, Robert Lawrence, interviewer; The Kuhn Foundation; Getzels Gordon Productions, producer
Robert Lawrence Kuhn interviews four theologians at Helsingør, Denmark, and an atheist in London. Niels Henrik Gregersen, theologian, University of Copenhagen. Science is more analytical, religion is more synthetic, comprehensive. The two are not at war, but religion cuts a wider path through all of human experience. Holmes Rolston, III, philosopher, theologian, Colorado State University (Rolston interview starts at 6 minutes, 30 seconds). Science is good at empirical questions, but does not touch the deeper value questions. After four hundred years of science, the deeper value questions are as sharp and as painful as ever. Christopher Southgate, theologian, University of Exeter. Science focuses on limited questions, but most aspects of life go beyond to questions of personal experience and transcendent truth, the answers to which are far more difficult. Celia Deane-Drummond, theologian, Notre Dame University. The study of nature in science can point to God, but religion confronts ethical questions. The goal of the religious search is a transcendent God, who cannot be subject to the scientific analysis appropriate for the physical world. Anthony A. C. Grayling, philosopher, atheist, New College of the Humanities, London. Science has demands for rationality and is powerfully self-correcting. Religion has faith and suppresses doubt. Conclusions: Science cannot judge values and meaning, but it does not follow that the diverse religions can. The truth or falsity of religion must stand or fall on its own merits. Each should be assessed in its own light. The ultimate question is whether any transcendent reality exists beyond the reach of science.