RECOMMENDED READINGS

"We Believe in God" -- The Greatest Minds Believed

 Is God Cruel?

In the Beginning there was Hawking -- and Reason Ended

Hawking has been a well-respected name in Science for decades for his work on black holes, cosmology, quantum gravity and his popular book,   A Brief History of Time. The fact that he is quadriplegic may have increased his popularity. Though his books, thus far, have been an interesting read, he is no genius in the truest sense of the word. His name is not even close to being on a par with the likes of Newton, Galileo or Einstein.

Lately his popularity has been exploited by his publishers by creating a kind of a “big bang” in the media meant to create both consternation and curiosity-- a perfect and well-proven combination for selling large numbers of books.

You may have read or heard his mind-spinning assertions, in his book, The Grand Design,  which shatter some of the fundamental laws of logic and which should leave truly rational minds aghast. Let’s look at some of them and let’s wonder at how such intellectual rubbish would ever be given the time of day by anyone with a modicum of common sense.

''Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing.” He also added, ''It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.''

In this quote one cannot help but be mesmerized by how the absurd can be skilfully crafted and made amenable to serious thought, simply because it emanates from a supposedly "brilliant mind." The above statement is so ludicrous that it would receive nothing but laughter and condemnation by any professor, if written by a student in a college paper. The mark would doubtless be zero for absurdity (And perhaps 100% for creativity). Yet coming from a so-called, “genius” it leaves some gullible souls into believing that “maybe” logic retreats shamefully when the divine Hawking makes his grand appearance.

“Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing.” Yes, you are reading right: “Nothing” is now the all powerful god. “Nothing” has the power to create on a vast scale. “Nothing” can explode and create all the atoms in the universe operating in their magnificent design and their mind-boggling ability to bond and bring about countless chemical compounds and be the building block of innumerable life forms. Yes, “Nothing” can do all that -- you heard right. (I forgot to mention it, and you might have noticed, that according to Dr. Hawking gravity was before nothing and gravity is the result of bodies pulling at each other, thus, in reality there was something..., but let's not get too rational, we would not want to perturb Dr. Hawking's adoring disciples.)

Over eons “Nothing” proceeded to bring forth its greatest creation: mankind. “Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist.” Again, as with the previous comment, every time I read this statement my brain twists and churns in indefinable agony. It shouldn’t, of course; it’s simple; it’s plain and it has the authority of a scientific giant behind it. I should simply accept it "in faith" and be at peace, but my mind simply rebels.

You see, for years Hawkins and others have been seeking for a “Grand Theory of Everything;” something that would blend Newton’s ideas, Einstein’s ideas, Quantum physics and create a "unifying theory" that would finally explain everything. The one who would get there first would leave the other giants behind, because they could only explain "one" major aspect of the whole package, the last one would explain everything. Finding the unifying theory would be the greatest feat ever in physics and, thus, the one who would accomplish such a gargantuan exploit would be the “Titan” of Science. Hawking is now deluding himself that he may be  such a titan. As he states in the introduction to his new book, "M-theory is the only model that has all the properties we think the final theory ought to have...". (1) Quite an ego…

Roger Penrose, emeritus professor of mathematics at Oxford University captures the essential weakness of Hawking's theory in a recent book review. "Unlike quantum mechanics, M-theory enjoys no observational support whatever." (2) That is the suicidal flaw of Hawking's grand idea: It has no basis in observable reality. He and his writer friend,  Mlowdinow, may have brought together a scintillating theory, but no observable proof.

Kate MCAlpine, in a recent article in The New Scientist, in the same vein points out that "assuming multiple universes remain mathematically possible, there would still be no proof that they are actually present."(3)

Russell Stannard, Emeritus Professor of Physics at Open University and recipient of The Bragg Medal and Prize of the Institute of Physics for ‘distinguished contributions to the teaching of physics’ (1999), gives us a succinct and piercing  assessment of Hawking's views.

That philosophy of Hawking's is precisely the one that I'm trying to counter. His views, as have been reported, are a perfect example of what is called scientism: that science is the only route to knowledge and that, ultimately, we'll have a complete understanding of everything. That is nonsense, and I think it's dangerous nonsense, because it makes scientists sound exceedingly arrogant. It's all very well saying the universe came about as a result of spontaneous creation due to M-theory. But that raises the question: where did M-theory come from? Why are there intelligible physical laws? (4)

Yet, in spite of all the nonsensical, illogical and fantastic content of Hawking’s book, the atheistic throngs will flock to book stores and will spend their money to reassure themselves that their intense desire to block God out of existence has been supported one more time by another big name.

JUST GET RID OF GOD – WHATEVER IT MIGHT TAKE

Oh, how desperate are atheists for a “Deliverer” who will totally unburden them of fear and guilt. How frantic are the unbelieving throngs for a scientific messiah who will unshackle them completely from the Celestial Ogre who without relenting insists on submission and obedience to detestable and oppressive Laws.

Rebellious men and women of this earth, your messiah is now here. He is not Herculean from a physical stand point, but he has a name that carries power and authority, or so say his publishers, eager to cash in on a few more millions.

Come now you hungry, they say, and Hawking will quench your hunger; advance, oh you thirsty, and Hawking will quench your thirst. You have waited for the Deliverer and he has finally come. Simply gaze at his blinding light. Be mesmerized by his “unequalled fantasy” and accept “in faith” his mind-boggling propositions. Most of all come and nurture your ego as you get confirmation of what previous unbelievers have proposed: that man is indeed the only god.

Each universe has many possible histories and many possible states at later times, that is, at times like the present, long after their creation. Most of these states will be quite unlike the universe we observe and quite unsuitable for the existence of any form of life.

Only a very few would allow creatures like us to exist. Thus our presence selects out from this vast array only those universes that are compatible with our existence. Although we are puny and insignificant on the scale of the cosmos, this makes us in a sense the lords of creation." (5)

How ego expanding is that? How pleasant to atheists' ears...

In the beginning there was Hawking and reason ended and so did logic. Science was replaced by "un-testable theories" and common sense was overwhelmed by absurdity. No matter… The important thing is that the Ogre gets banished and that fear and guilt become a thing of the past. Exactly what humanity needs: less fear and less guilt; selfishness unshackled; guiltless minds to do as they please. This is Hawking’s last gift to humanity, before he takes his giant leap into “nothingness.”

Should you buy his book then? Yes, if you are thirsty for freedom at the expense of your mental health; for one must dispense of his sanity to accept the most psychotic, irrational, absurd and distorted ideas propagated in recent times.

I just finished watching a documentary on BBC America. One more assertion left me befuddled which I must share with you. “M Theory doesn’t disprove God; He is rendered unnecessary.”  God is rendered unnecessary by a puny book, written by a puny, conceited man (I forgot...and by his science fiction writer partner Mlowdinow seeking for greatness and glory, propounding ideas that shatter the laws of logic. All that renders God “unnecessary”?

I would like to propose that this empty and insignificant book accomplishes one thing and one thing only. Hawking has finally proven to truly be “unnecessary.” True, responsible, sensible and logical Science does not need such a mind in its midst to steal precious dignity from it. I hope, therefore, that soon reasonable scientists will show the foolishness behind Hawking’s assertions and that they will distance themselves from Hawking’s fantasies and will do their part to throw his ideas to the top of the dung-heap of discredited and absurd pseudo-science which have appeared and disappeared in the past.

Too bad, Dr. Hawking… You may have ended your life with respect and appreciation on the part of believers and unbelievers alike, for opening their eyes to the beauty and intricacies of the universe. Unfortunately, your hunger for supremacy among the truly greats of Science will only bring you the gratitude of the sad atheist lot, a lot of money in your bank account and the appellation of,  “A scientist gone astray” by posterity.

Goodbye, Dr. Hawking… and may “Nothing” be with you.

Michael C.

Works Cited

1. "EXCERPT: Stephen Hawking 'Grand Design.'"

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/grand-design-stephen-hawking/story?id=11568556&page=3 (13, 9, 2010)

2. The Grand Design Review by Roger Penrose, FT.com

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/bdf3ae28-b6e9-11df-b3dd-00144feabdc0.html, (13, 9, 2010)

3. Kate McAlpine, The New Scientist, M-theory: Doubts Linger Over Godless Multiverse. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727780.301-mtheory-doubts-linger-over-godless-multiverse.html

3. Russell Stannard, We Can’t Know Everything, http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/sep/12/russell-stannard-my-bright-idea

4. Hawking, The Grand Design, Introduction,

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/grand-design-stephen-hawking/story?id=11568556&page=3 (14, 9, 2010)

© Copyright, Michael Caputo, 2010