DOES GOD PLAY DICE?
Randomness & Divine Providence
HILTON, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, USA, 31 July – 3 August 2014
Can randomness and divine Providence be reconciled within a larger theoretical framework that could shed more light on some of the most fascinating dilemmas faced by contemporary science, such as the question of fine-tuning, multiverse theories, determinacy and indeterminacy, randomness and design, and the equally challenging question that science poses to the Christian concept of divine Providence? Does quantum randomness imply that order can emerge absent providential intent? Or does quantum randomness still allow one to argue that the laws of nature are essentially intentional, and therefore providential? What are the philosophical and theological implications of randomness for the limits of human knowing and self-determination? Is human dependence on Providence fostered by randomness? How do randomness and Providence relate to the epistemic limitations of scientific methodologies and the human capacity to know the mind of God? What insights into randomness and Providence can help a humility theology more fully voice the admission that only God knows the mind of God, but that God’s “footprints” and “fingerprints” abound in creation, and are to be investigated and the resulting knowledge used for the common good? What patterns and grammars of plausible reasoning and assent from the natural and social sciences, arts, and mathematics to philosophy and theology are best fitted to a world in which randomness and/or Providence act? This confluence of science-philosophy-theology conundrums is the inspiration for the JIS 2014 Symposium, recalling Albert Einstein’s famous musing that “God does not play dice.”
KEYNOTE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2014:
“GOD’S SURE PURPOSE FOR THE UNCERTAINTY IN NATURE’S LAWS”
Dr. Hugh Ross, Founder-President, Reasons to Believe
SPECIAL MEET THE AUTHOR ROUNDTABLE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2014:
“IN SEARCH OF THE GOD PARTICLE”
Dr. Raghavan Jayakumar, Particle Accelerators, Colliders and the Story
of High Energy Physics: Charming the Cosmic Snake
DOES GOD PLAY DICE 2014 SYMPOSIUM GUIDELINES:
DOES GOD PLAY DICE 2014 endeavors to bring together scholars from a wide range of disciplines and denominations for an exciting international conference which takes both scholarship and faith seriously. Symposium Venue: JIS 2014 is co-sponsored by IIR-ICSA-JIS in the City of the Roses–the world-famous Tournament of Roses–in sunny Southern California, with many cultural/sightseeing opportunities. Send Abstracts (250 words) by: June 1, 2014, to: Dr. O. Gruenwald, JIS Editor, 1065 Pine Bluff Dr., Pasadena, CA 91107, USA, per e-mail (no attachments) to: JIS 2014 (click for e-mail). Include: Paper Title, First & Last Name, faculty or student, mailing address, phone & e-mail. Publication: Fully-developed papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies XXVII 2015. Conference Web: www.JIS3.org/symposium2014. Registration: Symposium participants must preregister: $100 by 15 April2014; $125 after 15 April 2014; $150 after 1 June 2014.
DOES GOD PLAY DICE 2014 SYMPOSIUM STRUCTURE:
Check-In: Thursday, July 31, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hilton Pasadena. Reception: Thursday, July 31, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Main Symposium Program: Friday, August 1, 8:45 AM – 9:00 PM; Saturday, August 2, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Sunday, August 3: Cultural/Ecclesial/Sightseeing. Format: Multidisciplinary panels and papers. Participants are encouraged to attend the entire conference to enhance dialogue, synergy, and synthesis, as well as fellowship. Presenting a paper is not a prerequisite for participation. Indicate if you prefer to serve as discussant. Family members enjoy the reduced student registration rate. Audio-Visual Equipment: Bring laptop or flash drive if desired for PowerPoint presentation. Cultural/Sightseeing: Before or after the conference. Optional Field Trip: JPL Mars Probe (August 4).
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS:
Lodging: We recommend that conference participants make their hotel and airline reservations as soon as possible. Hilton Pasadena Reservations: 1-800-445-8667; 1-626-577-1000. Cultural/sightseeing/travel/accommodations: Contact Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.visitpasadena.com; 1-800-307-7977 or 1-626-795-9311. Bring an alarm clock and a sweater or jacket for cooler mornings and evenings. Ground Transportation: Hilton Pasadena (168 S. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101) may be reached from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via shuttles, e.g., Super Shuttle (shared ride $25): 1-800-258-3826, or rent-a-car (ca. 45 minute drive).