Scientific, Philosophical, and Religious Perspectives

December 1, 2012

PAIN AND SUFFERING

FICTION OR FACT??

HYMENOPTERA – PARASITIC WASPS

WHAT IS LIFE?

Characteristics of Life (Biological)•Organization (cellular)

•Reproduction

•Responsiveness

•Evolution (continuous change)

•Homeostasis (internal maintenance)

•Energy Transformations

THERMODYNAMICS

The study of energy transformations

• First Law of Thermodynamcis (conservation of energy)

• E = mc2 is one expression of this

•Second Law of Thermodynamics (disorder in a system)

• Systems tend to proceed from ordered to disordered states

•Free Energy changes in a reaction ( A + B → C + D ):

G = H - TS• If G = 0, reaction is at equilibrium

• If G < 0, reaction proceeds as written (spontaneous)

• If G > 0, reaction will not proceed (non-spontaneous)

WHEN IS A REACTION SPONTANEOUS? EPotential Energyergy

Potential Energy and Order (Entropy)tential Energy and Order (Entropy)

High potential energy

Low potential energy

High potential energy,more order

Low potential energy,less order

High

Low

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

ATP HAS HIGH POTENTIAL ENERGYATP consists of three phosphate groups, ribose, and adenine.

Phosphate groups

Ribose

Adenine

Energy is released when ATP is hydrolyzed.

ATP Water ADP Inorganicphosphate

Energy

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

EXERGONIC PHOSPHORYLATION REACTIONS

• ATP is the energy currency of all living organisms

Endergonic re

action

(Loss of Pi from ATP)

Exergonic reaction

(B gains P i f

rom A

TP)

Exergonic reaction

(B loses Pi )

Reactants Products

“Activated”substrate

A B

AB

∆G

ATP

A BPi

Energy is requiredto synthesize AB

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

SOURCES OF ATP FOR LIVING CELLS

• Autotrophs – can provide their own energy

• Phototrophs – light (plants)

• Chemotrophs – inorganic chemicals (some microbes)

• Heterotrophs – energy derived from organic molecules

• All animals

• Requires mechanisms for detection (sensory) and acquisition (eating) of food (organic molecules).

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

FOOD

• Reduced organic compounds that can be harvested to provide chemical energy for ATP synthesis.

Herbivores

Carnivores

Omnivores

• ALL require sensory systems for acquiring food.

• Many require sensory systems for avoiding predation.

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

HOMEOSTASIS

HOMEOSTATIC MECHANISMS

• Thermoregulation (temperature)

• Osmoregulation (electrolytes)

• Nitrogen Balance (elimination of waste products)

• Oxygen levels

• pH balance (acidity)

• Nutrient transport

→ ALL require energy (ATP) expenditure

>>> evolutionary imperative for sensory development

EVOLUTION OF SENSORY MECHANISMS

• Example, The Molluscan Eye

EYE DIVERSITY

VARIETY OF SENSORY RECEPTORS

NOCIRECEPTORS (PAIN)

EVOLUTION OF NERVOUS SYSTEMS

PARENTAL INVESTMENT THEORY

PAIN AND SUFFERING (A REDUCTIONISTIC VIEW)

• Thermodynamic need for energy to drive metabolic reactions and maintain homeostasis

• Requires an interaction with the environment for detecting and acquiring food

• Evolution of a variety of sensory receptors including for pain

• Predator – prey relationships

• Increasing complexity of integration centers (brain development)

• Extended parenting time; emotional and social connections

• Can be expanded to include suffering due to illness (genetic, infection, injury)

>>>>>> Where is God in all this?

CHATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH• “The Church’ Magesterium, as authentic interpreter of the affirmations of Scripture and

Tradition, teaches that death entered the world on account of man’s sin” (CCC 1008)

• “Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death.” (CCC 1500)

• “Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn towards that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him.” (CCC 1501)

• “Christ’s compassion towards the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendant sign that “God has visited his people” and that the Kingdom of God is close at hand.” (CCC 1503)

• “By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion.” (CCC 1505)

ONE REFLECTION

• “Jesus promises us, over and over, that to follow him means taking the way of the cross. Why are we surprised then, when life is dark and painful? Why do we imagine God has abandoned us, or assume we’ve lost our way? Servants are not greater than their Master, Jesus tells us (Matt. 10:24). If Jesus new hardship, rejection, betrayal, shame, and apparent failure, why do we expect our lot to be different? In our trials and troubles, we know the privilege of being united to Christ in his suffering.”

- Susan Pitchford, Give Us This Day, Nov. 28, 2012.

GOD AND MODERN BIOLOGY PROGRAM

• Spring Schedule 2013• Wed., February 6, 6-9 PM

John Haught book discussion (continued)• Sat., March 2, time TBA

Lecture/discussion with students – topic TBA• Thur., April 4, 5-9 PM

An evening with John Haught; dinner and lecture event• Wed., April 15, 7 PM

Elizabeth Johnson lecture