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5 - Progress, Purpose, and Providence

from Part I - General Issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2021

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Summary

The history of the universe – from the Big Bang to Homo sapiens – is nothing short of breathtaking. The whole process started off with a violent explosion, went through various stages of cosmic structuring and cooling as galaxies and their solar systems developed, produced at least one planet – Earth – that contained life-supporting conditions and eventually produced life leading to humanity as we know it. In reflecting on the extended development of physical reality, important questions arise regarding whether the universe in general displays a discernible directionality and even whether biological reality is goal-oriented, perhaps with the aim of bringing forth Homo sapiens.

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Biology, Religion, and Philosophy
An Introduction
, pp. 104 - 130
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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