Anna Ijjas entwickelt neue Ansatze, indem sie die Unzulanglichkeit gangiger Deutungsversuche aufzeigt, mit dem Ziel, auf diese Weise zum Denken und zum Gesprach anzuregen.

In the present paper, I shall argue that quantum theory can contribute to reconciling evolutionary biology with the creation hypothesis. After giving a careful definition of the theological problem, I will, in a first step, formulate necessary conditions for the compatibility of evolutionary theory and the creation hypothesis. In a second step, I will show how quantum theory can contribute to fulfilling these conditions. More precisely, I claim that (1) quantum probabilities are best understood in terms of ontological indeterminism, but (...) (2) reflect nevertheless causal openness rather than divine indifference or arbitrariness, and (3) such a genuinely creative universe can be considered as the work of a loving Creator. I ask subsequently whether these necessary conditions are also sufficient for the compatibility of evolutionary theory and the creation hypothesis. Finally, I will show that relating evolutionary biology with theology via quantum theory could also shed some light on the nature of life. (shrink)

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGIm religionsphilosophischen Kontext wurde die Quantenmechanik vielfach bemht, das Argument der Willensfreiheit als naturwissenschaftliche Theorie zu sttzen. Der probabilistische Charakter der Theorie schien eine natrliche Basis fr den Indeterminismus und somit fr sittlich relevante Willensfreiheit zu bieten. Dieser Position wurde jedoch des fteren entgegen gehalten, dass erstens nur bestimmte Interpretationen der Quantenmechanik indeterministisch sind. Zweitens sollen mikroskopische Quanten-Effekte die makroskopische Hirndynamik nicht beeinflussen. Inzwischen mutet die Diskussion immer undurchschaubarer und themenspezifischer an, so dass eine sachgerechte Beurteilung geradezu als undurchfhrbar erscheint. (...) Die vorliegende Untersuchung zielt darauf, durch Klrung der Begrifflichkeit bestehende Konfusionen zu entwirren und konzeptionelle Konturen zu zeichnen, die es ermglichen, bisherige Debatten zu systematisieren sowie fr zuknftige Untersuchungen als methodisch-strukturelle Grundlage zu dienen.SUMMARYIt is often claimed that the probabilistic character of quantum mechanics supports ontological indeterminism and in consequence free will. Theologians especially believe that they have found an empirical argument for the free will defense. Critics argue, however, that there is no evidence that microscopic quantum phenomena could affect macroscopic brain dynamics, nor does the probabilistic character of quantum formalism necessarily imply ontological indeterminism. In the present paper I shall examine whether the critique holds, and point out the relevance of quantum mechanics for theological investigations. (shrink)

In this paper, I present a new argument against the compatibility of human free will and divine timelessness when conceiving of eternity in terms of an additional dimension as presented by brian leftow. The paper is organized as follows: After giving a brief sketch of leftow’s model, I argue that assuming libertarianism, free will presupposes presentism, since metaphysical indeterminism is only compatible with a presentist A-theory of physical time. Given this result, I make a case for the incompatibility of presentism (...) and divine eternity modelled as a frame of reference, implying the incompatibility of the latter with human free will. (shrink)