For most of us, the concept of God is tied to a personified image—a divine figure with human-like qualities watching over the universe. This is the conventional idea of God that the late physicist Stephen Hawking rejected.

Hawking’s understanding of God resided not in a religious figure or sacred rituals but in the laws of physics and the mysteries of the cosmos.

What is that force behind the workings of the universe—the energy that keeps subatomic particles in motion, the planets spinning, and life thriving in its many forms. In this sense, Hawking may have understood God more profoundly than those who cling to traditional religious images.

Hawking famously said, “If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason—for then we would know the mind of God.” The “answer” he referred to was the fundamental force or principle that governs the universe. For him, uncovering the mechanics behind existence would be akin to understanding the essence of God.

In this way, Hawking proposed a “science of God”—the idea that understanding the universe through scientific exploration could reshape how we perceive God. This approach offers a more rational and perhaps more acceptable concept of God in an increasingly questioning and skeptical society.

It’s misleading to say that Hawking was not spiritual or religious.

His spirituality was rooted in discovery and understanding rather than prayer or worship. His devotion to exploring the mysteries of existence was his form of faith.

In essence, Hawking’s karma—his dedicated work and pursuit of knowledge—was his dharma, his spiritual path. His relationship with God was not defined by rituals but by his relentless quest for truth.

Promod Puri