Does God Play Dice? A Dialogue on Science and Religion
Technion hosted a fascinating panel discussion on the relationship between Science and Religion, featuring two great luminaries: Nobel Laureate Dist. Prof. Aaron Ciechanover and Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Technion hosted an exceptional panel discussion on June 12th, entitled “Does God Play Dice? A Dialogue on Science and Religion,” as part of the university’s annual Board of Governors meeting. The unique event featured two remarkable panelists, each of whom represented a different perspective on the subject: Nobel Laureate Aaron Ciechanover and Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. The moderator was Prof. Karl Skorecki, of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Director of Medical and Research Development at Rambam Health Care Campus.
At the panel discussion: (L-R) Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Prof. Karl Skorecki and Nobel Laureate Dist. Prof. Aaron Ciechanover
Prof. Aaron Ciechanover received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2004 and is a Technion Distinguished Research Professor in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute. “For me, the question of God is completely irrelevant,” he asserted in his opening remarks, while nevertheless maintaining that Judaism is an important part of his identity. Prof. Ciechanover spoke of the limits of the scientific language and the need for a collaboration between Science and Religion. “Scientists need moral leaders to help them mediate between themselves and their audiences,” he claimed, adding that they are unable to do so by themselves. Furthermore, scientists cannot “lift the burden of the implications of their own research” and therefore they need leaders like Rabbi Sacks.
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is well-known both in his native U.K. and around the world as a leading Jewish theologian and author, frequently appearing in the secular media. He served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013, and has written dozens of books and religious commentaries. Rabbi Sacks was knighted by the Queen in 2009 and is a member of the House of Lords. The night before, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Technion. In his opening remarks, Rabbi Sacks quoted Albert Einstein, who famously insisted that, “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind,” adding that “you need humility on both sides.”
Although clearly representing Religion in the discussion, Rabbi Sacks made it clear that he does not see any conflict between Science and Religion, especially according to the Jewish faith. “Judaism is open to Science. God wants us to be a partner” in helping to make the world a better place, he believes, and “religious leaders have to learn from scientists since there is a vast ocean of truth we don’t understand.”
Both panelists addressed the issue of therapeutic vs. eugenic scientific intervention. According to Rabbi Sacks, “it is a mitzvah to cure generic diseases, but intervening in evolution is highly problematic.” Although we shouldn’t try to improve on Nature, genetically modified crops are a blessing that save many lives, and not a threat; in a nutshell, he believes in “therapeutics – yes, eugenics – no.” He admits, however, that the border is fuzzy and that there is a real danger that scientists will “do it because they can, not because they should.” Prof. Ciechanover agreed that, “there is a huge twilight zone between therapeutic and eugenic research,” and scientists shouldn’t and can’t answer these questions themselves. They should be careful not to cross the border in the name of academic freedom.
The one-hour panel discussion, which took place in a packed auditorium, concluded on a harmonious note, with the two men agreeing on the importance of dialogue. While Rabbi Sacks pronounced that “if you want to fear God, study Science,” Prof. Ciechanover asserted that “there is a great need for moral religious leaders.”