[Encounters and re-encounters - philosophy and religion of the physicist Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker].

Abstract

(1) Quantum theory deals not just with reality but with the physical (scientific) reality of its objects. Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker understood this to imply that scientific knowledge of objects converges with philosophical knowledge of their objectivity but did not succeed in rounding off physics. (2) We are actors as well as spectators not only in scientific knowledge but in political processes as well, particularly by means of science. It is, therefore, not justified to deny political responsibility even in 'basic research'. Carl Friedrich von Weizsacker identified classical physics as the venture of knowledge without love but believed that this boundary could be transcended. The apparent neutrality of science must not be tolerated by the churches, however. (3) In religion Weizsäcker felt most at home in Buddhist spirituality, this being akin to Christian spirituality which has been more or less lost by the Christian churches. Yet he tried to support his church and to participate in its actions. (4) Lack of love corresponds to an excess of power in the religious critique of science. In both respects Weizsäcker presented the mirror to industrial society but people in general did not recognize their image. The Max-Planck-Society, however, shut up Weizsäcker's "Institute for the study of the conditions of life in the modern world" (Starnberg 1970-1980) as soon as possible. (5) Weizsäcker always refrained from exerting any power except that of reason or truth. According to Lao Tse this is the power least perceived as such. In politics he generally followed the mainstream after once having been tempted to action in 1941/42. His influence on German society was based on his charismatic spirituality.