Noted Australian Physicist, Paul Davies, Speaks on "The
Big Bang"
(May 28, 2001)
 Dr.
Paul Davies, professor of physics at the University of Queensland,
Australia, and the 1995 winner of the Templeton Prize for
Progress in Religion, spoke at Thomas Aquinas College on Friday,
May 25, in St. Joseph Commons. His lecture, part of the College's
annual lecture series, was entitled, "The Big Bang,"
and discussed current hypotheses on the origin of the universe.
One of the world's leading physicists, Dr. Davies
has written over 25 books, both popular and specialist, which
have been translated into more than 20 languages. Among his
best-known works are God and the New Physics, The Cosmic Blueprint,
The Mind of God, The Last Three Minutes, About Time, and Are
We Alone? His latest book, The Fifth Miracle, is about the
origin of life and the possibility of life on Mars.
He has also published over 100 research papers
in specialist journals, in the fields of cosmology, gravitation,
and quantum field theory, with particular emphasis on black
holes and the origin of the universe. His monograph, Quantum
Fields in Curved Space, co-authored with former student Nicholas
Birrell, remains a seminal text in the field of quantum gravity.
In recognition of his work as an author, he was elected as
Fellow of The Royal Society of Literature in 1999.
Davies was once described by the Washington
Times as "the best science writer on either side of the
Atlantic." His books explain advanced scientific concepts
in simple terms, and explore the philosophical consequences
of the latest ideas at the forefront of research. He has won
numerous international awards for his work and makes frequent
lecture and television appearances around the world. The Templeton
Prize which he received in 1995 is the world's largest prize
for intellectual endeavor, and was given by Prince Phillip
at Westminster Abbey.
Although currently based in South Australia,
he is a British citizen and is Visiting Professor at Imperial
College in London. In addition to addressing scientific topics,
Davies also lectures to religious organizations around the
world, and has had meetings with Pope John Paul II and the
Dalai Lama. He frequently debates science and religion with
theologians.
Dr. Davies' lecture was sponsored by the E.I.
Wiegand Foundation of Reno, Nevada, as part of its Visiting
Lectures Program which brings distinguished speakers to the
campuses of Thomas Aquinas College and St. John's College,
Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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