Saturday, November 21, 2009

(1) Modern Comparisons

Chapter Two: Modern Comparisons

Eventually I moved into my thesis work during the latter part
of my theological studies. I decided that I would write a
comparative study of Teilhard's Cosmogenesis with Bohm's
Theory of the Implicate Order. Trying--and I mean *only* trying--
I hoped to keep this thesis within a scientific bailiwick, if you will.
At this point I would focus strictly on Teilhard and Bohm's idea
that there is actually an Intelligent Plenum underlying our universe.

But before I move forward, for this little journal, I must introduce
some information about the late David Bohm, known in the
scientific community as the "Father of Quantum Mechanics."

An American, Bohm was one of the leading quantum physicists
of our age. Following a venerable career at the University of
California (Berkeley) and at Princeton's Institute of Advanced
Studies, he moved to become Professor of Theoretical Physics
at Birkbeck College of the University of London. During his later
years he linked a formidable knowledge of the history and
philosophy of science to his keen experience as a physicist.
Bohm attempted to explain an ontological basis for quantum

In this journal I won't move into serious explanations of quantum
theory. However, Bohm believes that at the very depths of the
ground of all existence there exists a special energy. For Bohm
it is the Plenum; it is an "immense background of energy." The
energy of this ground is likened to one whole and unbroken
movement. Bohm calls this the "Holomovement." It is the
Holomovement that carries the Implicate Order.

Bohm's Holomovement seems nearly a companion to Teilhard's
idea of a "Radial Energy." Bohm also refers to a law in the Holo-
movement. He theorizes that the 'order in every immediately
perceptible aspect of the world is to be regarded as coming out
of a more comprehensive Implicate Order, in which all aspects
ultimately merge in the undefinable and immeasurable Holo-

With this, Bohm's "Implicate Order" corresponds with Teilhard's
"Within," even to that ultimate merging into an Omega Point.
As for Teilhard's "Without," well we have Bohm's "Explicate Order."

Bohm's Explicate Order, however, is secondary--derivative. It flows
out of the law of the Implicate Order, a law that stresses the relation-
ships between the enfolded structures that interweave each other
throughout cosmic space rather than between the "abstracted and
separate forms that manifest to the senses."

In other words, there is an *inter-relationship* between the Inner
and Outer of this universe. This corresponds with Teilhard;s
consideration--that the Within and the Without are seamless,
weaving together. And how might this be achieved? Mainly by
becoming more *Conscious.*

For Bohm Consciousness can be "described in terms of a series
of moments." Basically, "one moment gives rise to the next, in which
context that was previously implicate is now explicate while the
previous explicate content has become implicate." Consciousness
is an interchange; it is a *feedback process* that results in a
growing accumulation of understanding.

Like Teilhard, Bohm considers the human individual to be an
"intrinsic feature of the universe, which would be incomplete--in
some fundamental sense" if the person did not exist. He believes
that individuals participate in the whole and consequently give it
meaning. Because of human participation, the "Implicate Order is
getting to know itself better."

It is this collective consciousness of mankind that is truly significant
for Bohm. It is this collective consciousness that is truly one and
indivisible, and it is the responsibility of each human person to
contribute towards the building of this consciousness of mankind,
this noosphere! Bohm also believes that the individual will eventually
be fulfilled upon the completion of cosmic noogenesis.