Astrophysics and Religion

Many religions have spent time on two things: trying to generate feelings of awe and nudging us to be kinder. Surprisingly, and unwittingly, these are tasks which astrophysics is also rather good at.

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CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with Mad Adam Films

[danielborsody]

There's a great quote by Nisargadatta Maharaj: "“Wisdom is knowing I am nothing. Love is knowing I am everything, and between the two my life flows.” It echoes the balance between the cool, rational wisdom of science that tells us how small and insignificant we are in the vast universe and the warm loving wisdom of humanism and religion that reminds us of how precious life is and how, at least in a subjective way, we can feel at home and even at one with the universe.

[manifold.curiosity]

'Teach me your mood, O patient stars!
Who climb each night the ancient sky,
Leaving on space no shade, no scars,
No trace of age, no fear to die.'

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

What most amazes me is that there were a collection of individual humans who could realise their own cosmic grandeur prior to the invention of super-telescopes, in a time when relatively little was known about the universe. They foretold of what this video expressed through astrophysics - that the universe is vast and wondrous, and that we inhabit an insignificant but inestimable part of it. The Stoic philosophers had all kinds of concepts about this, as did Spinoza, Whitman and Emerson of course. The wisdom they must have had to see outside of not only themselves, but their own scarcely-understood planet too!
Incredible.

[TheTravelingnight]

I believe that because I was never forcibly exposed to religion repeatedly as a child, and instead was allowed to find what worked for me, and found science, well, I believe that this is why I am who I am. I am going to be an astrophysicist. I am an atheist, not because I disagree with religion, but because I don't feel any need for it. My purpose is mine to find and there is ever more research to be done. Thank you for the video. It is wonderful to be reminded that I am not the only one who feels this way. This really is a wonderful channel.

[mattfouracre]

I have grown up in a religious, catholic home with no burden on believing in the same things. Ever since i was little i never felt this so called awe in religion. With the kid books that talk about God, when i was little i just questioned it. I didnt think it was inspiring. But when i looked up at the stars it was the opposite, like you said, astrophysics helps with the concept of awe.

Yes i do want to say up until i was 11 or 12 i thought Catholicism was a peaceful religion and allows happiness towards our life and may have caused me to be a better person in the long-term but i would like to see myself as a selfless, empathetic being without the roots of religion. Now i see in past history where wars were only waging because of difference in religion, such as the crusades, French Wars Of Religion, Thirty Years’ War, Eighty Years' War etc.

Religion tells us how to live but i don't need the concept of religion to tell me how to live. It is everyone's personal opinion but without the setbacks that come along with religion and religious institutions, science can tell us what the universe is how to base our lives off that.

[DaDenzelWashington]

Thank you all for the insight in the connections. There is one thing I like to add. Watching the stars and contemplating on religion gives awe and kindness, there is also a great feeling of gratitude. I am thankfull for being here and experiencing these things and different perspectives.

[ze_chooch]

My favorite tool for grounding myself is the thought that all matter is a distant cousin. The chair I'm sitting on, the MacBook I'm typing on, the food I eat, the stars I look at, and the ground I walk on are composed of the same atoms birthed at the beginning of time.

[ndviolin]

I love that modern scientific explanations of creation are so much wilder than the traditional religious stories. I believe that this enhances our religious understanding of God.

[mathewrculbertson]

I disagree with the presumpitions of this channel, but I love the videos. Thanks for your hard work in helping me develop perceptive.

[Lord_Sneetus]

Oh, but physicists DO give a damn about about these things! Feynman was an artist and wrote at length on various topics one would typically see in the work of stoics. Sagan gave a number of passionate lectures on humility and authority.

Sean Carroll, in particular, has his own philosophy blog and seems deeply concerned with finding meaning in life removed from Religion. And, let's not overlook the moral crusades of Lawrence Krauss.

But, the message is still appreciated.

[AyeshaKhan-uhgz]

I am Muslim, grown up in Pakistan. I grew up hearing stories of prophets and I myself read books about them. when i read physics, WHAT amazed me was that I felt inspired. I still do. reading science and believing in my religion goes together, hand in hand. because my parents didn't taught me to be orthodox or what-so-ever. I was given a freedom to question.
if you read the stories of Sufies (saints) you realize how beautiful religion can be and it is! You see the sky and feelings of amazement and wonder overwhelm you but soon it become unbearably depressing and you want answers. And I find find those answers in Qur'an. it provides balance in my life even though I am imperfect Muslim.
P.S. No hate comment about my religion but you are free to hate me.

[thefashionablephilosopher]

Love this. Not to mention that it's easier to be compassionate to others when you think about how we're all made of the same matter. We're all stardust. I'd love to see school of life talk about the spiritual implications of quantum physics as well. Not that it's never been discussed before, it's just there's so much to be said in the genre of science impacting philosophy, especially difference branches of physics.

[pierrotmoon]

Everytime I scroll down after watching one of your videos, I can't help but read the comment with your voice and tone. It makes everyone in the comment section seem so much wiser !

[katee]

Delightful small moments of exchange. Thank you for the effort. I feel connected and challenged through listening late at night when I can't sleep.

[CP-qyvc]

Every video I watch from you guys continues to inspire and teach me so much. This is such an important investment for people to make. Thank you so much for making these shorts.

[warren]

the sentiments shared in this video were triggered in me when i watched the series Cosmos hosted by Neil degrasse Tyson.... astrophysics is real amazing in raising awareness about universalism which i feel is the best way of combating many of the problems in our societies ....thank you school of life

[Waltham]

I can't agree with the thesis of this video.

Religions make us feel awe because of their stories of the supernatural and elaborate rituals intended to inspire awe.

Astrophysics makes us feel awe because of the sheer majesty of the subject.

As such, the awe science produces is more authentic than any inspired by a plaster statue on a wooden cross.

[casualjoe]

It's astrophysics, quantum mechanics and all the complexity in between that together, really gets my awe juices flowing, and the fact that there is something rather than nothing still blows me away.. there doesn't have to be anything at all.. but there is! and every second spent contemplating this feels completely insane!

[leonlopez]

I get nihilistic when I think about the scale of the universe.

[mortaldoavesso]

This channel is just.... breathtaking. The philosophy on these videos are beautifully crafted, always maintaining a positive perspective about life's issues even after showing how cold and indifferent with us reality can be. Well done people :)

[poronchis]

I personally agree with the subject. Reading about astrophysics made me realize how tiny our problems are and how we can overcome them no matter the cost. It certainly gives you a sense of fulfillment because you don't crave anything out of our boundaries. Thinking about it helps a lot when trying to relax and get your feet back to the ground.