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the physics of immortality
by Alex Burns (alex@disinfo.com) - December 20, 2000

Tulane University professor of mathematics Frank J. Tipler's book 'The Physics of Immortality: Modern Cosmology, God, and the Resurrection of the Dead' (1994) offers a provocative and vast exploration of the intersection point between Theology and Quantum Physics, raising fundamental teleological questions about Humanity's destiny within the Universe.

Tipler and John Barrow's earlier book 'The Anthropic Cosmological Principle' (1986) dared to explore a future where intelligent life colonised the universe using von Neumman probes and evolved to Become the ultimate arbiters of the space-time continuum. 'The Physics of Immortality' explored even further realms of possibility. If our universe is closed, Tipler had earlier suggested, it will collapse into a final Omega Point or Singularity (not to be confused with Terence McKenna's 2012 Singularity, based upon Mayan calendrics). Intelligent life might be able to 'engineer' this collapse at a specific rate in order to survive (a 'Taub'-like collapse).

'The Physics of God' contains several theoretical variations. As evolving intelligence reaches greater complexity, the Omega Point approaches the Judeo-Christian concept of an omniscient God. Drawing upon games theory and 'The Prisoner's Dilemma', Tipler claims that this God would be altruistic, as this is a superior evolutionary longterm strategy.

Tipler's book and Omega-Point Theory generated much controversy and ridicule. Some critics interpreted it as the arrival of Postmodernism within the citadels of Science, cloaking questionable theoretical assumptions extended far beyond their limits and theology with the impression of serious scientific scholarship. Others pointed to the difference between postulating a theory and believing in it. Some theologians found Tipler's conceptualisation of God to be distant and unacceptable. The existence of black holes; the nature of future intelligent life; the harsh conditions required for life to survive during a collapsing universe; and the inability to test the hypothetical process of ressurection have all been points for heated debate.

'The Physics Of Immortality' is an early sign of an emerging post-millennial Renaissance (dubbed 'The Third Culture' by author John Brockman) in which the findings of Quantum Physics, Artificial Intelligence and Genetic Engineering are generating new cosmologies, philosophies (Extropian and Trans-humanism) and designer religions. Tipler has attracted much flak for boldly breaking the Science/Theology taboo, and for his use of scientific language. His audacious ideas are in danger of being simplified for the general public - like those of Hans Moravec and Stephen Hawking - without the detail for supporting arguments.

Although its Omega-Point hypothesis is ultimately unproveable, 'The Physics of Immortality' is a mind-bending and important book. Its cosmology is timely for a science fiction age. It conveys how deeply entrenched Judeo-Christian perspectives on 'Life in the Cosmos' and God are. Lastly, when too few scientists offer eschatalogical speculations of possible futures to be dynamically generated by our species into reality, Tipler offers us a compelling Vision of possible survival. But who will have the defiant Voice to bring such a Vision into being?

The Physics Of Immortality: A Review
Concise and precise review summarises the key points of Frank Tipler's cosmology: "The Physics of Immortality is noteworthy as the first major flowering of the postmodern sensibility in science: truth is whatever your colleagues will let you get away with. Tipler's colleagues thus far seem ill-disposed, however, to let him get away with this book. Read it for yourself, but be prepared: this isn't Sunday School theology, where 'the Bible tells me so.' "

Book review : Frank J. Tipler : The Physics of Immortality
A brief review of Frank J. Tiplers book, including links to further information: "You might as well say that the conditions that exist at the end of time bring that world into existence. This end condition is called the 'Omega Point' or 'God'."

The Physics of Immortality
Is Frank J. Tipler the most brilliant scientist who ever lived? This review from 'Cape Town' columnist George Ellis is a pragmatic and skeptical argument that demolishes Tipler's aura: "Here it is at last, just what we've all been waiting for! Modern science proves everything you always wanted: resurrection after death, eternal life, idyllic sex for ever!"

Engineering For Immortality
A unique Christian viewpoint regarding Frank J. Tipler's cosmology. Scripture arguments not found elsewhere.

Staying Alive: All You Ever Wanted To Know About Immortality
Background information column explores major immortality schemes from cryonics to Frank J. Tipler's cosmology. A nice overview.

The Physix Of Reality
Contemporary spirituality meets quantum physics cosmology. Frank J. Tipler's material is referred to as useful further reading on the subject.

Resurrection Resurrected By Science
Useful essay from a Christian perspective on the interface between science and religion: "The real importance of the Omega Point Theory is that it provides a plausible physical mechanism for a universal resurrection, an idea that has long been inconsistent with the accepted physics of the day for a past two thousand years. Many twentieth-century theologians and scientists were mistaken in their attempt to combine science and religion concluding that the two disciplines deal with different realms of human experience: religion is primarily concerned with moral questions, while science deals with facts."

Omega-Point Theory
Details of an Omega-Point theory discussion list.

Tipler: A Review
The author of this review regards Tipler's work as one of the most fun and yet strangest books he has ever read. Also features brief analysis of the cosmological models of Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose.

Re-incarnation And Professor Tipler
This critique of a review of Frank J. Tipler's book raises some important points about the difference between bigness and infinity, and analogies based upon computing power.

The Scientific Case Against Immortality
Try this on for size: "It is patently absurd to expect that all the myriad specimens of all the myriad species of life from the beginning of evolution are to go on existing forever in another world. Yet we are led into just such absurdities when we once start relying on the dualistic theory that man has an immortal soul . . .that can exist independently of the body."

Critical Notice: Frank J. Tipler
A review that examines the socio-political implications of Frank J. Tipler's cosmology: "Some on the religious right have made, and will make, capital from the mere existence of this book, even if the strict letter of its doctrine provides no comfort to them. We do not need more physicists apparently telling the world that the most recent discoveries in cosmology and particle physics confirm traditional religious teachings."

Terminology From The Omega Point Theory List
Useful terminology summary to understand Frank J. Tipler's cosmology.

The Physics Of Immortality: A Review
An engaging review by 'The Scotsman' columnist and author Andrew Crumey that is full of postmodern irony: "Will Hitler come back from the dead? Yes, says Tipler, but he'll be nice. Will cockroaches be reincarnated? No, but dogs will, if they were once someone's pet. Not only will there be sex in virtual heaven, but you'll be able to mate with the most delectable of possible partners, in the best of all possible afterlives."

Posthuman Nation/Knowledge & Noise
Connects the cosmologies of Hans Moravec and Frank J. Tipler to the Situationist International. The future will not be user friendly.

Immortality: The Project of a Lifetime
Chris E. Stout offers an overview of the barriers to Frank J. Tipler's cosmology and examines competing theories.

The Physics Of Immortality: New York Times Review
This 'New York Times' review of Frank J. Tipler's book by George Johnson is an example of the general scientific community's reaction to Tipler's hypothesis. Consensus reality from the newspaper of record?

The Physics Of Immortality
John J. Reilly's critical review places Frank J. Tipler's cosmology within a wider framework of analysing Western Civilization's cultural assumptions.

Has Science Discovered God?
Christopher Hunt's review essay makes some important links between our species' denial of death and the teleological ends of Frank J. Tipler's cosmology.

Virtual Immortality For Everyone Alive Today
Professor John Wren-Lewis offers an overview of Omega-Point theory that goes beyond propagandistic pro and con fighting: "But do read it, all the same, for even if his peers eventually declare his conclusions doubtful or invalid, it's still very important indeed in showing how even the most reductionist science today implies the spiritual perspective. And it should force us all to think again about whether current 'green' attempts to curb scientific and technological advances in the name of love for Planet Earth may not in fact be theologically short-sighted underestimates of humanity's spiritual destiny."

The Omega Point and the Final Fate of Life
Incredible collection of reviews and research papers on Frank J. Tipler's cosmology. Also covers a variety of competing theories, including Universal Immortalism, Baby Universes and Cosmic Engineering.

Must the Beginning of the Universe Have a Personal Cause?
Intense academic discussion of a key philosophical problem in contemporary cosmology, including reference to the work of Frank J. Tipler. Useful for background context and indepth research.

Many-Worlds FAQ
Broad discussion of the 'Many-Worlds' hypothesis in modern physics cosmology. Useful background research for aspects of Frank J. Tipler's cosmology and for comprehending the new scientific milieu.

Quantum Physics & Consciousness
Why would a quantum physicist be so keen to prove the existence of God? Mark Bancroft's background research papter provides enough information on the amazing realms of contemporary quantum physics for you to formulate a strong answer.

Frank Tipler: Professor of Mathematics
Frank J. Tipler's homepage features a very useful summary of the Omega Point theory; testimonials from famous physicists and theologians; and papers on black holes, close universes and quantum nonlocality.

A Response to Tipler's Omega-Point Theory
This critical academic response to Frank J. Tipler's cosmology examines his theology, the limits of physics and proposes several flaws with a closed universe model. Useful material for further discussion and debate.

Simulation, Consciousness, Existence
This essay by controversial robotics engineer Hans Moravec contains several references to Frank J. Tipler and Omega-Point theory. Very useful background from an inspiring scientific mind.

Disinformation Dossier On Hans Moravec
Check out the Disinformation dossier on Hans Moravec.

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