{"id":370,"date":"2021-05-07T12:16:38","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T02:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/hdr-students\/?p=370"},"modified":"2021-05-07T21:17:49","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T11:47:49","slug":"submission-of-a-phd-by-prior-publication-in-theology-dr-nick-hawkes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/hdr-students\/2021\/05\/07\/submission-of-a-phd-by-prior-publication-in-theology-dr-nick-hawkes\/","title":{"rendered":"Theologian and PhD student Dr Nick Hawkes shares his PhD by Prior Publication experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

My PhD journeys through different academic disciplines in order to craft a book that whispers the possibility that belief in God is reasonable.<\/p>\n

It is PhD by prior publication. The publications include one book (Who Ordered the Universe?<\/em><\/a>) and four papers.<\/p>\n

(Nick submitted this thesis for his second doctorate in March 2021)<\/p>\n

God is not \u201con trend\u201d at the moment. He\u2019s been banished from biology by Darwin, and pronounced dead by the philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche. If this were not enough, he\u2019s been discredited by the disunity and abuses that have occurred within fallible church institutions tasked with representing him.<\/p>\n

Despite this, there remains a troublesome concept, which\u2013\u2013 although largely dispensed with by modern philosophers\u2013\u2013is still appealed to by those working in the hard sciences\u2026 and that is the notion of truth<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Scientists rely on scientific truth, and a cosmos being both ordered and rational, to do their work. It\u2019s worth remembering that the universe is under no obligation to be rationally understandable, but remarkably, it is. So, do we shrug with indifference or is this significant?<\/p>\n

There are four forces that build the universe. Two of them are the electromagnetic force and the gravitational force. If the ratio of the relative strengths of these two forces had differed by one ten-thousand trillion-trillion-trillionth\u2026 there would be no life on planet Earth. Again: should we ask: Is this significant?<\/p>\n

In quantum physics: a subatomic particle collapses from a \u201ccloud of probability\u201d into a solid particle only when it is observed. This would seem to point to the primacy of \u2018mind\u2019. And when mathematicians see that an equation for the foundational laws of physics is ugly, they know it is wrong. So, do we shrug with indifference, or is this significant?<\/p>\n

And sociologically, where authentic<\/em> Christianity is practiced, it has proved to be transformative of individuals, families, and societies.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fair to say that I wouldn\u2019t have pursued this doctorate without encouragement from my supervisor, Professor Andrew Dutney, and the magnificent Graduate Research team\u2013\u2013heroes all. A bit of urgency was added because I\u2019m battling advanced cancer. But, together, we got there!<\/p>\n

Why do I research and write about this subject?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have a background in science and was a research scientist for 11 years. I then trained to be minister in the church, so it was natural for me to explore the interface between science and Christianity. This led to the discovery of an intriguing complementarity between the two disciplines. Both are quests for truth. The difference is that science asks \u201chow\u201d and theology asks \u201cwhy\u201d. As such, theology frames science and places it in a bigger context. It invites more rigorous thinking than to simply believe that everything came from nothing, as a result of nothing, via a mechanism that has never been discovered \u2013 an idea that fractures the law of \u201ccause and effect\u201d that underpins all of science.<\/p>\n

My first doctorate explored the dance between science and Christianity in history. This led to further research, particularly into the theological implications of quantum physics. A book (\u201cWho Ordered the Universe?\u201d) and several papers followed. It was therefore a natural step to collate this new material together for submission as a PhD by prior publication \u2013 which had as its stated consequence another book, \u201cGod and Me: Reasons for Faith\u201d (which is currently looking for a publisher).<\/p>\n

So, to encourage you: If you engage in high level research and publish regularly, a PhD by prior publication is a great option. The fabulous Graduate Research team are waiting to help you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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