It is important to realize that determinism does not imply events occur in spite of our actions. Some events occur because we dete...rmine them. Determinism must not be confused with the doctrine of fatalism, which asserts that future events are entirely beyond our control. "It is all written in the stars," declares the fatalist. "What will be will be." The soldier who behaves recklessly on the battlefield in the face of a hail of bullets while thinking "if my number is on it, no precaution will avert death" is a fatalist. Some Oriental religions contain fatalist overtones, and many people are inclined to lapse into fatalism from time to time, especially as far as major world affairs are concerned.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
In spite of the fact that religion looks backward to revealed truth while science looks forward to new vistas and discoveries, bot...h activities produce a sense of awe and a curious mixture of humility and arrogance in their practitioners. All great scientists are inspired by the subtlety and beauty of the natural world that they are seeking to understand. Each new subatomic particle, every unexpected object, produces delight and wonderment. In constructing their theories, physicists are frequently guided by arcane concepts of elegance in the belief that the universe is intrinsically beautiful.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »