Physics in the Hexameron of St Basil the Great

1. Entity type Lemma
2. Original titleFizika u Sestodnevu Vasilija Velikog
3. Language term Serbian
4. lemma author Stevanovic, Aleksandra
5. lemma category Scientific theories and disciplines - Classical physics
6. Publication date 25-8-2016
7. lemma work Tomic, Bojan [Author]. Physics in the Hexameron of Saint Basil the Great
8. lemma manifestations Physics in the Hexameron by Saint Basil the Great - Kraljevo: EUO Eparhije Zicke, 2008.
9. Keywords
   1. Tomic, Bojan
10. Keywords Saint Basil the Great - Physics - physics and theology - Hexameron
11. Lemma body

    1. "Physics in the Hexameron of St Basil the Great" is a very interesting book in the field of physics since it incorporates two perspectives – physics and theology. It was published by the Diocesan administrative board of the Diocese of Zica, with the blessing of Bishop Hrizostom of Zica. Thematically, it is divided into three major parts. The first part of the book represents Basil the Great as a very educated scholar, presents his work and Hexameron – Six Days of Creation. Afterwards, the author addresses “time” and its stream, that is, states that there is changeability and flow, emphasizing the places in The Book of Creation that support this idea. Saint Basil the Great regards history as linear with clear order – from the beginning to the end, which clashes with Plato’s idea of cycles.

       Further on, the author contemplates the basic elements of physics from the theological perspective. The categories included are: spatial distribution of the elements such as sky and earth, water, fire, the Sun, ether, and regards their physical characteristics from the perspective of physics and in Six Days of Creation by Saint Basil.

       The second part of the book considers movement in philosophical sense. According to the author of the book, Saint Basil the Great says that the beginning is “the first movement”, as stated in "Six Days of Creation". When it comes to physics itself, the author explains that Saint Basil the Great regards it as a part of a broader concept of science and religion frame. There is no physics without the continuity of ideas, faith, understanding, and research. Nature remains obscure to physicists, but the author stresses the words of Saint Basil the Great, according to whom scientists should not recede before the research. Every observation needs rational analysis and critique. Regarding the method, Saint Basil the Great enforces the attempt to find powerful methods and disregard the fruitless ones. What the author finds important is the fact that Saint Basil the Great leans on Greek polytheistic authorities because he realizes how important a solid base is, but instead of mere belief in these authorities, reason should prevail.

       The last part of the book provides a reason–faith relation discussion and a sort of conclusion stating that what is found important is to constantly question the intent and purpose of science, the question Saint Basil the Great has always had in mind. Such attitude may serve as a solid paradigm to all the scientists and as a means of scientific method control.  

       The book is designed to analyze the basic concepts in physics and consider the approach to them in Six Days of Creation, which presents physics not merely as a science, but also as a medium through which Christians can understand nature and natural phenomena. This book is of particular significance because it comparatively tracks the history of scientific, philosophical and theologian thought. Furthermore it is important for the physics–religion dialogue since those two have had a long history of disagreement and disregard. The author of the book accentuates that his work provides answers in order to find a field that people have been searching for.