Resonance: From Physics to Theology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Resonance is a ubiquitous phenomenon in the world of physics and biology, emerging from energy exchanges between interrelated but distinct systems. Resonance experiences, by contrast, are widespread in the human and animal world but not ubiquitous. This essay discusses theological and ethical aspects of resonance theory, particularly pertaining to everyday human experiences of resonance in relation to the more-than-human world. Consistently, resonance experiences intersect the human and the non-human world, and the phenomenon of resonance may thus serve as a bridging concept between science and theology. I argue that while the ubiquitous feature of physical resonance is particularly helpful for reformulating a contemporary creation theology, human resonance experiences are a source for religious experience, hence highly informative for theology and ethics. Resonance theory thus challenges the widespread view that nature is primarily mute, indifferent, or even hostile to human concerns.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationScience, Religion, the Humanities and Hope: Essays in Honour of Willem B. Drees
EditorsAnne Runehov, Michael Fuller
Number of pages14
Place of PublicationCham, Switzerland
PublisherSpringer
Publication date2024
Pages19-32
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

ID: 378971958