Religion, deity and the order of nature

pp. 128-134

in: Wolfe Mays, Whitehead's philosophy of science and metaphysics, Berlin, Springer, 1977

Abstract

There have been various accounts and interpretations of Whitehead's natural theology. It has been assumed, for example, by some writers that he is giving a new kind of ontological argument for the existence of God in terms of the necessary elements disclosed in experience. In discussing Whitehead's natural theology one thing at least is clear, that he is basically concerned with pointing out those general features of order we find in the universe, which he believes gives rise to our particular religious ideas, emotions and forms of behaviour. His aim, he says, "was to give a concise analysis of the various factors in human nature which go to form a religion… and more especially to direct attention to the foundation of religion on our apprehension of those permanent elements by reason of which there is a stable order in the world, permanent elements apart from which there could be no changing world."¹