Mathematics and Religious Philosophy in the Enlightenment
Explore how mathematical ideas influence religious debates during the Enlightenment, particularly arguments for the existence of God based on order and design in nature, which debates?
1. The essay will discuss how the Enlightenment scientists like Issac Newton use mathematics to argue the existence of God. Newton uses math to show the order of the universe. He thought that precise math is not only explained by physics but also represents the wisdom of God. He combined theological perspectives to explain math and physical phenomena in his book Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica to show that God is the designer of the universe.
2. The contribution of Laplace and Bayes in religious arguments about probability theory during the Enlightenment. This essay will discuss how probability supports the rationality of religion. Laplace and Bayes used early forms of probability theory to argue whether the phenomenon observed in nature supports the existence of God. The atheistical perspective and methods of Laplace and Bayes is representative to reflect how people challenge the religious and philosophical views at that time.
3. The essay will discuss the critique of rationalism during Enlightenment about how mathematics challenges religious miracles. Scientists like Hume and Bayesian used math models and statistics analysis to assess the probability that a religious miracle happened, especially how to assess the miracles in the Bible and some other religious texts. Their methods influenced the view of people who believe that gods created everything, which was the mainstream at that time. This view made people recognize the world rationally and relied more on science.
Bibliography
Richardson, W.M., & Wildman, W.J. (Eds.). Religion and Science: History, Method, Dialogue. ( 1st ed). Taylor, Francies. 2012. New York. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203866511.
Accessed 28 February 2025