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The Evidential Power of Beauty: Science and Theology Meet
While everyone is delighted by beauty, and the more alive among us are positively fascinated by it, few are explicitly aware that we can recognize truth by its beauty and simplicity. Dubay explores the reasons why all of the most eminent physicists of the twentieth century agree that beauty is the primary standard for scientific truth. Likewise, the best of contemporary theologians are also exploring with renewed vigor the aesthetic dimensions of divine revelation. Honest searchers after truth can hardly fail to be impressed that these two disciplines, science and theology, so different in methods, approaches and aims, are yet meeting in this and other surprising and gratifying ways. This book relates these developments to nature, music, academe and our unquenchable human thirst for unending beauty, truth and ecstasy, a thirst quenched only at the summit of contemplative prayer here below, and in the consummation of the beatific vision hereafter.
365 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
90 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Dubay
30 books75 followersFather Thomas Dubay, S.M., was a well-known retreat master and expert in the spiritual life.
A Marist Priest, Father took a Ph.D. from Catholic University of America and taught at major seminary level for about fifteen years. He spent the last three decades giving retreats and writing books (over twenty at last count) on various aspects of the spiritual life.
He is an expert on the teachings and writings of the two mystical doctors of the Church, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
A Marist Priest, Father took a Ph.D. from Catholic University of America and taught at major seminary level for about fifteen years. He spent the last three decades giving retreats and writing books (over twenty at last count) on various aspects of the spiritual life.
He is an expert on the teachings and writings of the two mystical doctors of the Church, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 2, 2024
I am not a polymath. In fact, when I first chose my major in college, I did so largely because the only math course it required was logic and the only science course was earth sciences. When Hannah and I play board games, those requiring quick arithmetic are largely off limits for me. And my intellectual interests lie firmly in the humanities. Despite this, “The Evidential Power of Beauty” was a wonderful and thought provoking read, though much of the scientific argumentation was entirely lost on me.
The Catholic Church has always been an intellectual powerhouse, with Jesuit education serving as a paradigm in discussions on pedagogy. Many of Western society’s public theologians are connected in some way to the Catholic Church. Catholic clergy have significantly contributed to modern science since the Renaissance; concepts like the Big Bang theory, genetic theory, and analytical geometry have all been shaped by the Catholic educational tradition. Fr. Dubay is a fitting champion of this tradition as he carries it into the 21st century. However, readers may find that a substantial understanding of Catholic theology and history is necessary to fully grasp many of the arguments presented in this work.
Fr. Dubay's core premise is that the created world is beautiful and, therefore, points to a beautiful creator. He fleshes out this idea over 16 chapters grouped into three major sections.
The first section, consisting of the first six chapters, lays the groundwork for discussing aesthetics as a discipline and provides a brief overview of the Catholic Church’s contributions to theology, aesthetics, and science. The most captivating chapter for me was a rigorous exploration of the theory of ugliness. While I have read various works on aesthetics this year, none have addressed the concept of ugliness in relation to the divine source of beauty.
The second section comprises the next six chapters, which make up the bulk of the book. Here, Fr. Dubay examines science as a discipline of aesthetics and articulates the primary argument of the book. However, I found that this section largely glazed over my understanding.
The final section serves as an apologetic, asserting that since the created world is beautiful, its author must be beautiful as well. This section offers intriguing insights into the aesthetic beauty of sanctity and how theology should draw us into experiences of beauty and wonder. I believe I will be a better theologian for having read it, and I am grateful for the insights gained.
One aspect of this work that struck me is how deeply the Catholic intellectual tradition engages with these themes of beauty, science, and theology at an academic level. As someone rooted in the Reformed tradition, I often find myself wishing that my own theological camp would engage with these ideas in a similar, rigorous way. Reformed theology is rich with intellectual depth and a robust understanding of God’s sovereignty over creation, but I would love to see more emphasis on aesthetics and the intersection of beauty with theology in our academic discourse. ASI have studied aesthetics this last year I have often felt that we miss out on the beauty of God’s creation as a witness to His nature, something the Catholic tradition seems to explore with great intentionality. I hope that Reformed theologians in the future will build on the work of scholars like Kuyper and Bavinck to engage more deeply with these themes in the same way Catholics have, connecting the truths of creation's beauty with a clear testimony to the Creator.
While the Jesuits' contributions should be viewed positively, I find myself aligning more with the Franciscans in my perspective. Fr. Dubay sees beauty in the adaptability and genetic developments of the wood drake, in the chemical composition and tectonic history of mountains, and in the mighty red oak’s ability to convert light into food. However, I contend that the wood drake is beautiful simply in its essence, that the mountains are beautiful for their inherent majesty, and that the red oak's beauty lies in its innate being, rather than in any evolutionary advantage. St. Francis envisions a time when all creation will harmoniously sing praises to its author. On that glorious day, I hope to rise and sing, appreciating the beauty of mitochondria, energy conversion, and genetic makeup. Until then, I will continue to find beauty in poetry, art, song, and the innate being of creation as the handiwork of a beautiful God.
Loyola has produced a beautiful book worthy of its profound content. The paper quality is heavy, the typeface is attractive, and the work is clearly well edited.
While I probably won’t read it again, I can see myself referencing several chapters in the future. Shout out to @craig for lending me this thought provoking read.
The work loses one star for being so intensive in its technicality in a vast array of disciplines that most people just aren’t versed in, and a second for just not being my cup of tea.
The Catholic Church has always been an intellectual powerhouse, with Jesuit education serving as a paradigm in discussions on pedagogy. Many of Western society’s public theologians are connected in some way to the Catholic Church. Catholic clergy have significantly contributed to modern science since the Renaissance; concepts like the Big Bang theory, genetic theory, and analytical geometry have all been shaped by the Catholic educational tradition. Fr. Dubay is a fitting champion of this tradition as he carries it into the 21st century. However, readers may find that a substantial understanding of Catholic theology and history is necessary to fully grasp many of the arguments presented in this work.
Fr. Dubay's core premise is that the created world is beautiful and, therefore, points to a beautiful creator. He fleshes out this idea over 16 chapters grouped into three major sections.
The first section, consisting of the first six chapters, lays the groundwork for discussing aesthetics as a discipline and provides a brief overview of the Catholic Church’s contributions to theology, aesthetics, and science. The most captivating chapter for me was a rigorous exploration of the theory of ugliness. While I have read various works on aesthetics this year, none have addressed the concept of ugliness in relation to the divine source of beauty.
The second section comprises the next six chapters, which make up the bulk of the book. Here, Fr. Dubay examines science as a discipline of aesthetics and articulates the primary argument of the book. However, I found that this section largely glazed over my understanding.
The final section serves as an apologetic, asserting that since the created world is beautiful, its author must be beautiful as well. This section offers intriguing insights into the aesthetic beauty of sanctity and how theology should draw us into experiences of beauty and wonder. I believe I will be a better theologian for having read it, and I am grateful for the insights gained.
One aspect of this work that struck me is how deeply the Catholic intellectual tradition engages with these themes of beauty, science, and theology at an academic level. As someone rooted in the Reformed tradition, I often find myself wishing that my own theological camp would engage with these ideas in a similar, rigorous way. Reformed theology is rich with intellectual depth and a robust understanding of God’s sovereignty over creation, but I would love to see more emphasis on aesthetics and the intersection of beauty with theology in our academic discourse. ASI have studied aesthetics this last year I have often felt that we miss out on the beauty of God’s creation as a witness to His nature, something the Catholic tradition seems to explore with great intentionality. I hope that Reformed theologians in the future will build on the work of scholars like Kuyper and Bavinck to engage more deeply with these themes in the same way Catholics have, connecting the truths of creation's beauty with a clear testimony to the Creator.
While the Jesuits' contributions should be viewed positively, I find myself aligning more with the Franciscans in my perspective. Fr. Dubay sees beauty in the adaptability and genetic developments of the wood drake, in the chemical composition and tectonic history of mountains, and in the mighty red oak’s ability to convert light into food. However, I contend that the wood drake is beautiful simply in its essence, that the mountains are beautiful for their inherent majesty, and that the red oak's beauty lies in its innate being, rather than in any evolutionary advantage. St. Francis envisions a time when all creation will harmoniously sing praises to its author. On that glorious day, I hope to rise and sing, appreciating the beauty of mitochondria, energy conversion, and genetic makeup. Until then, I will continue to find beauty in poetry, art, song, and the innate being of creation as the handiwork of a beautiful God.
Loyola has produced a beautiful book worthy of its profound content. The paper quality is heavy, the typeface is attractive, and the work is clearly well edited.
While I probably won’t read it again, I can see myself referencing several chapters in the future. Shout out to @craig for lending me this thought provoking read.
The work loses one star for being so intensive in its technicality in a vast array of disciplines that most people just aren’t versed in, and a second for just not being my cup of tea.
November 30, 2020
Faith and science are popularly (and superficially) seen as opposed. Throughout history, lesser thinkers on both sides have fostered a divide. That division is false in a number of ways. In this book, Father Dubay describes one common ground between the two, the notion of beauty.
Beauty itself is not a properly understood concept. Again, a superficial understanding sees beauty as relative, as "in the eye of the beholder," not as an objective reality. Dubay points out the classical metaphysical argument that all things have beauty in themselves, just as all things are one, true, and good. A thing naturally has unity, a one-ness or wholeness in itself. As it is knowable, it is thus true. As it is desirable or useful, it is thus good. Beauty is the joy at knowing the goodness of things. Many scientists today argue that scientific proofs are beautiful because they have clarity (knowability) and simplicity (oneness), even if they are not immediately obvious. That those proofs require effort in order to appreciate is not a flaw in the thing, but an insufficiency in the knower. Beauty is objective, based on the knowability and goodness of the beautiful object.
After establishing this groundwork, Dubay looks at different levels of nature, from the microcosm to the macrocosm to human behavior to biblical revelations to theological teachings. All of these have beauty and inspire awe and wonder. He does not shy away from the reality of ugliness and pain. They are signs that something is wrong, something is out of order. Ugly things also point to the objectivity of truth and goodness, characteristics that ought to be there and are conspicuous by their absence.
Dubay is unabashedly Catholic throughout the book. He constantly references Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and Hans Urs von Balthasar. Balthasar is a special muse for the book; he had developed a robust theory of beauty. The end of this book looks at the trinitarian life of God and how we as his human creations related to God, and how we will experience the unending joy of the Beatific Vision in the afterlife.
The book is very inspiring though at times repetitive. Some examples get repeated in different chapters but make the exact same point. As far as flaws go, it's relatively minor.
Recommended.
Beauty itself is not a properly understood concept. Again, a superficial understanding sees beauty as relative, as "in the eye of the beholder," not as an objective reality. Dubay points out the classical metaphysical argument that all things have beauty in themselves, just as all things are one, true, and good. A thing naturally has unity, a one-ness or wholeness in itself. As it is knowable, it is thus true. As it is desirable or useful, it is thus good. Beauty is the joy at knowing the goodness of things. Many scientists today argue that scientific proofs are beautiful because they have clarity (knowability) and simplicity (oneness), even if they are not immediately obvious. That those proofs require effort in order to appreciate is not a flaw in the thing, but an insufficiency in the knower. Beauty is objective, based on the knowability and goodness of the beautiful object.
After establishing this groundwork, Dubay looks at different levels of nature, from the microcosm to the macrocosm to human behavior to biblical revelations to theological teachings. All of these have beauty and inspire awe and wonder. He does not shy away from the reality of ugliness and pain. They are signs that something is wrong, something is out of order. Ugly things also point to the objectivity of truth and goodness, characteristics that ought to be there and are conspicuous by their absence.
Dubay is unabashedly Catholic throughout the book. He constantly references Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and Hans Urs von Balthasar. Balthasar is a special muse for the book; he had developed a robust theory of beauty. The end of this book looks at the trinitarian life of God and how we as his human creations related to God, and how we will experience the unending joy of the Beatific Vision in the afterlife.
The book is very inspiring though at times repetitive. Some examples get repeated in different chapters but make the exact same point. As far as flaws go, it's relatively minor.
Recommended.
May 5, 2018
Enjoyed pretty much all of this book and his insights into beauty from science to theology.
It included this quote from St. Augustine.
“He is beautiful in heaven, beautiful on earth; beautiful in the womb, beautiful in his parents’ arms, beautiful in his miracles, beautiful in inviting to life, beautiful in not worrying about death, beautiful in giving his life and beautiful in taking it up again; he is beautiful on the cross, beautiful in the tomb, beautiful in heaven. Listen to the song with understanding, and let not the weakness of the flesh distract your eyes from the splendor of his beauty.”
It included this quote from St. Augustine.
“He is beautiful in heaven, beautiful on earth; beautiful in the womb, beautiful in his parents’ arms, beautiful in his miracles, beautiful in inviting to life, beautiful in not worrying about death, beautiful in giving his life and beautiful in taking it up again; he is beautiful on the cross, beautiful in the tomb, beautiful in heaven. Listen to the song with understanding, and let not the weakness of the flesh distract your eyes from the splendor of his beauty.”
April 12, 2024
I only read about a third, but I’m not sure this book needed to be written. One doubts whether it says anything that hasn’t already been said by other authors. Perhaps an article would have done the trick?
November 24, 2009
I was very disappointed by this book. Part of this was due to the discrepancy between what I was expecting and what I got, but I found that Dubay's writing style annoyed me. He repeatedly sees fit to raise issues or points of view that he summarily dismisses as "unworthy of response" or "clearly absurd". It's the author's job to decide what he writes about, but it's just bad writing to bring up ideas one is not going to address!
I eventually found what I was looking for in books by David Hart and Stephen Barr (especially Modern Physics and Ancient Faith). Dubay should stick to what he does well, and leave the philosophical reflection to others.
I eventually found what I was looking for in books by David Hart and Stephen Barr (especially Modern Physics and Ancient Faith). Dubay should stick to what he does well, and leave the philosophical reflection to others.
December 24, 2014
As a scientist and a Christian, this book really appealed to me. I found it very challenging because of the philosophical and theological language that I'm unfamiliar with, and sometimes the writing was, I thought, unnecessarily dense. The concepts are intriguing though.
July 18, 2007
I'm still plugging through it, BUT it is part of the required reading for the course I'm developing...
Currently reading
October 13, 2009Great read. Provokes me to wonder and awe at the world we live in...and in the One who filled it with marvels to behold through telescopes, microscopes, and even our own eyes!
Read
September 25, 2010This book had me so obsorbed even while reading at Starbucks, a prof saw me and had to ask what I was reading. A Catholic and not all points he makes did I agree with, but a beautiful book.
May 31, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book. It abounds in evidence for its thesis and encompasses a plethora of sources, including theological, biblical, scientific, and secular. The content draws the reader in because it focuses in on beauties, such as animals, stars, and cells, that we would normally find ordinary or insignificant and delves much deeper into the intricacies of how they work. Although it seems to be geared toward readers with more of a Catholic/Christian or somewhat scholarly background, I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who would have the patience and curiosity to explore the richness of our beautiful universe.
Want to read
November 24, 2021Most people who have had the privilege to study science become astonished at what they learn and become aware of how little is actually known. This has certainly been the case with me. The study of the universe brings up more questions than it does answers.
Biochemist and apologist Lewis Thomas does a phenomenal job with this book.
God of Wonders -The documentary (free on youtube) compliments this book splendidly.
Biochemist and apologist Lewis Thomas does a phenomenal job with this book.
God of Wonders -The documentary (free on youtube) compliments this book splendidly.
May 14, 2024
INCREDIBLE!! Very lengthy, but Dubay just points out scientific fact after fact and asks how it could be random. God must be real! My favorite points were that beauty is actually a need for humans, not just something nice to have, and that every time we encounter the truly beautiful, there is an ache for something more. The ache persists until Heaven when we will encounter Beauty Himself.
January 7, 2022
Beauty is NOT in the eye of the beholder. It is objective and proportional. It is simple and divine. The universe is ever expanding and true beauty if infinite. These concepts are a convergence of both science and theology, and inevitably satiate one with and unquenchable thirst for knowledge thereof.
September 20, 2019
3.5 stars.
June 27, 2021
What an amazing work. This book is evidentially Beautiful
June 14, 2022
3.972 rounded to 4.
November 14, 2023
deseo leer para conocerlo mas detenidamente
August 18, 2024
There is great inspiration for the devout in this book. I doubt that anyone other than the already devout would make the effort to get past the first few chapters.
June 24, 2012
I love Father Dubay. His speeches and lecture series are wonderful. When I started this book I could hear his voice as if he were reading to me and I found it endearing. I knew I was going to love this! The middle of the book though was challenging, but I plowed through. He becomes a bit repetitive and makes the same arguments under different titles. Nevertheless, I still felt the way I would if I were listening to him in person and I sat patiently and charitably through to the end. The final section of the book was worth it to me. I don't know that he proved anything or gave me any new meat to chew or arguments to use in conversations with others, however, I am inspired by the examples of the final few chapters.
August 8, 2021
This is my third reading of this book and it never disappoints! Every page is saturated with joy and wonder at pondering the Creation with which God has blessed us. For those who entertain the mistaken notion that faith, science, and reason are somehow incompatible, this book is a must read. And then they should read it again. And again.
April 9, 2009
What a beautiful book! I love Fr. Dubay.
October 29, 2009
Must go back and read it again!
July 30, 2011
Awesome book! Beauty is a reflection of God and beauty is far more than we give it credit for. It goes beyond the physical. I so recommend this book!
March 6, 2014
SCIENTIFIC PROOF THERE IS A GOD!
This book took my breath away. It needs to be read slowly and with joyful wonder at the beauty the surrounds us.
This book took my breath away. It needs to be read slowly and with joyful wonder at the beauty the surrounds us.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews