Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Master's Theses Graduate Research 1993 Quantum Reality: Some Implications for Christian Theology Charles Chinyoung Choo Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses Recommended Citation Choo, Charles Chinyoung, "Quantum Reality: Some Implications for Christian Theology" (1993). Master's Theses. 32. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses/32 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. 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Order Number 1353755 Quantum reality: Some implications for Christian theology Choc, Charles Chinyoung, M.Div. Andrews University, 1993 Copyright ©1993 fay Choo, Charles Chinyoung. All rights reserved. UMI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary QUANTUM REALITY: SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Divinity by Charles Chinyoung Choo July 1993 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. QUANTUM REALITY: SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN THEOT.OGY A thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Divinity by Charles Chinyoung Choo APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Ferndndo L. Canale, Ph.D., Adviser \ John T. Baldwin, Ph.D. Richard M. Davidson, Ph.D. Date approved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © Copyright by Charles Chinyoung Choo 1993 Ail Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT QUANTUM REALITY: SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY by Charles Chinyoung Choo Adviser: Fernando L. Canale Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Thesis Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: QUANTUM REALITY; SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY Name of researcher: Charles C. Choo Name and degree of faculty adviser: Fernando L. Canale, Ph.D. Date completed: July 1993 Problem Science (and also the myths concerning science) plays a dominant role in contemporary society. In this study, the epistemological implications of quantum physics were investigated in order to clear away some of the myths concerning science. Method Quantum mechanics was studied. After analyzing the basic postulates of quantum mechanics, several interpretations of the theory were examined. From quantum mechanics and its interpretations several epistemological implications were drawn. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Results Several myths concerning science were identified. These include permanence of science, reductionism, determinism, absoluteness of logic, subject-object dichotomy, and the reality of the objects of a scientific model. Conclusions It is important for theologians to be aware of the myths concerning science. The main benefit of quantum mechanics for theologians is in clearing away these myths firom the metaphysical conceptual space of theology. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. To my wife Jeannie Okyeiin and my daughter Charlene tliewon Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................. v C hapter I. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................... 1 The Issue ............................................................................................ 1 The Scope of the Thesis..................................................................... 3 The Organization of the Thesis........................................................ 4 II. AN INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS....................... 5 Description........................................................................................... 5 The Two-Window Experiment.......................................................... 6 The Double-Slit Experiment and Difficulty.................................... 7 Scientific Methodology....................................................................... 9 Five Postulates of Quantum Mechanics......................................... 11 The First Postulate of Quantum Mechanics........................... 11 The Second Postulate of Quantum Mechanics....................... 11 The Third Postulate of Quantum M echanics......................... 12 The Fourth Postulate of Quantum M echanics....................... 12 The Fifth Postulate of Quantum Mechanics........................... 13 Explanation of the Double-Slit Experiment................................... 14 Peculiarities of Quantum Mechanics............................................. 14 III. INTERPRETATIONS OF QUANTUM MECHANICS.................... 17 Diversity of Interpretation................................................................. 17 The Copenhagen Interpretation...................................................... 18 Neo-Realism ......................................................................................... 21 Reality as an Undivided W holeness............................................... 22 Quantum Logic..................................................................................... 23 Consciousness-Created R eality........................................................ 24 The Many-Worlds Interpretation.................................................... 24 IV. IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY ........................... 26 A Call for C aution.............................................................................. 26 General Implication............................................................................ 27 Tentative Nature of Science............................................................ 29 Reductionism....................................................................................... 30 Determinism......................................................................................... 31 111 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. L o g ic ...................................................................................................... 31 Subject-Object Dichotomy................................................................. 32 Reality of the Objects of a Scientific Model.................................... 32 Assessment.............................................................................................. 33 Attempts to Draw Metaphysical Implications................................ 34 C onclusion.............................................................................................. 36 BIBLIOGRAPHY...................................................................................................