Emily

Welcome to the Divinity Divulged podcast! The first podcastseries from the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. In each episode we’ll be taking a look at one of the fascinating research projects happening within the Faculty through conversations with the researcher and anexpert guest working in their field. With dialogue aimed at all of those studying or exploring religious studies across all levels, you can find details on how this episode relates to A Level and Scottish Highers Specifications as well as a glossary below.

For this episode we are joined by Dr Emily Quereshi-Hurst, Teaching Associate in Theology and Natural Science in the Faculty of Divinity in Cambridge and a research associate at Fitzwilliam College also in Cambridge. Alongsideher is Dr Frederick Simmons, Research Associate in the Faculty of Divinity, the Leverhulme Centre for Life in theUniverse, and Emmanuel College in Cambridge.

Here Emily talks us through her work at the intersection between Christian theology, philosophy, and modernscience. What might it mean for our understanding of God to think about a multi worlds or a multi universe reality?

Emily’s most recent paper on 'many worlds' can be found here - https://apcz.umk.pl/SetF/article/view/57168

Glossary

Astrobiology

The scientific study of life in the universe, including its origin, evolution, distribution, and potential existence beyond Earth.

Copenhagen Interpretation

The traditional interpretation of quantum mechanics stating that physical systems do not have definite properties until they are measured.

Determinism

The philosophical view that all events, including human actions, are completely determined by previously existing causes.

Everettian

Relating to Hugh Everett’s interpretation of quantum mechanics, also known as the Many-Worlds Interpretation.

Fallenness

A theological concept describing the human condition after the “Fall” of humanity through Adam and Eve marked by moral imperfection, alienation from God, or brokenness.

Many Worlds

A quantum interpretation proposing that all possible outcomes of quantum measurements actually occur in branching universes.

Metaphysics

A branch of philosophy studying the fundamental nature of reality, including existence, objects, their properties, and causation.

Moral Evil

Evil or suffering resulting from the intentional actions or decisions of moral agents (e.g., cruelty, murder).

Natural Evil

Suffering caused by natural processes (e.g., earthquakes, diseases) rather than human actions.

Noetic

Relating to the mind or intellect; often refers to spiritual or intuitive forms of knowledge.

Ontological

Relating to ontology—the study of being, existence, and what kinds of things fundamentally exist.

Prima Facie

A Latin term meaning “at first glance”; refers to something that is accepted as true unless later disproven.

Schrödinger Equation

The fundamental equation of quantum mechanics describing how the quantum state of a physical system changes over time.

Soteriology

The branch of theology concerned with salvation.

Subatomic Particles

Particles smaller than atoms, such as electrons, protons, neutrons, quarks, and neutrinos.

Theodicy

A theological or philosophical attempt to justify God’s goodness despite the existence of evil.

A Level Specifications –

AQA

Philosophy of Religion

Arguments for the existence of God

2b Christianity

God

Christianity and Science

Dialogues

The dialogue between Christianity and philosophy

Pearson Edexcel

Philosophy of Religion

1 Philosophical issues and questions

4B Christianity

1. Religious beliefs, values and teachings

OCR

2.c Philosophy of religion

2. The existence of God

Scottish Highers Specifications

SQA

Christianity

Beliefs

Religious and philosophical questions

Origins