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Summary: Physics, Process Philosophy, and God
Review: John A. Jungerman provides an extremely accessible yet remarkably comprehensive and accurate account of contemporary physics while examining how the issues and theories of physics relate to process philosophy and theology. Jungerman's knowledge of physics derives from teaching the subject for forty years at University of California, Davis. His introduction to process philosophy and theology came later in life as he discovered the congeniality of process thought with physics when attempting to convey physics theories in religiously amenable categories. World in Process: Creativity and Interconnection in the New Physics was written, as the author puts it, "to emphasize the compatibility of process thought with what we know about the physical world and about the evolution of the universe . . .. On all levels in the physical world we find three fundamental characteristics: creativity, openness with an active selection among alternatives, and interconnection. Science shows us these qualities in the physical world. These same qualities are emphasized in process metaphysics, which attempts to describe all of our experiences, including religion - hence we are led to a comprehensive view of our place and role in the universe" (xiv-v). I heartily recommend that both novices and experts in physics alike explore Jungerman's work. While specialists will find little new in the chapters dealing with aspects of physics, they will likely find fresh springs from which to drink when considering how process theology might relate to their discipline in general and their own spirituality in particular. Novices to physics who come to World in Process from their general interest in the science and religion dialogue will find a user-friendly guide to modern physics and an introduction to process theology upon which to deliberate as they imbibe from this rich wellspring alongside specialists.
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