On the Process Turn in Science and Its Implications for a Natural Theology

Braden Cooper (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee)

Recently, arguments for the “process turn” -- i.e., the rejection of static substances as a primary ontological category in favor of dynamic processes – have emerged in the philosophy of science. The implications of this shift (especially the rejection of substance) offer serious challenges for theology, at least in how it is traditionally conceived. I argue these challenges must be met if we want to mount a strong theology that is compatible with our scientific epistemology. If the “process turn” in science is convincing, then we have grounds to look towards establishing a theology that considers a similar ontological move towards process. I will briefly elucidate the contemporary arguments for the "process turn” in the philosophy of science and draw out the important historical shifts and contemporary empirical results that support such an interpretation as given in the literature. Focus will be given to relevant examples in biology and physics, which offer particularly convincing results supporting the transition towards process, and greatly impact theology in its attempt to ensure compatibility with scientific interpretation. I will then examine how this proposed “process turn” supports and strengthens conceptions of process ontology; particularly why the implications of the interpretation might propel us to consider a transition away from traditional Whiteheadian process metaphysics. Specifically, I will consider the assumptions of Seibt’s General Process Theory (GPT) and show why it likewise strengthens the explanatory power of the “process turn” interpretation. Finally, I will turn to what these results might mean for a proposed natural theology. I argue that if we want to conceive of a natural theology and ensure the belief structures emergent through it are consistent and compatible with our scientific epistemology (and by extension the “process turn” in science and ontology), then we are compelled to look towards what a similar “process turn” might look like for our theology. It is out of the scope of this paper for me to flesh out this theology fully, but I will offer preliminary considerations that point towards its future development. Among these I will consider the primary focus of the theology: its conception of the divine. Doing this, I will chiefly consider on what grounds the theology might postulate the existence of God; and in conceiving God, I will largely focus on the examination of divine activity, as opposed to divine nature. This marks a move away from what I see as a traditional, substantivalist concern of conceiving of God’s explicit static nature. Said move is strengthened through consideration of prominent historical examples that point to uncovering divine activity (not nature) as a primary concern of theology (and by extension religion). I will then look towards the future, offering suggestions for how this theology might develop, if it takes the challenges presented by general process ontology and the “process turn” in science seriously