A MOST RARE VISION - EDDINGTON THINKING ON THE RELATION BETWEEN SCIENCE AND RELIGION

It is argued that Eddington's religious beliefs as a lifelong Quaker w ere directly related to his philosophy of physical science and his que st for a 'fundamental theory' of the most basic relationships in the p hysical world. He was trying to reconcile, or. even to unite the two m ost important things in his life: the excitement of scientific researc h and the profundity of his own mystical experience. In each realm ali ke, he saw himself as a seeker led by an 'Inner Light'. In neither did he claim to have reached the goal. The reactions of philosophers and theologians contemporary with Eddington is examined, and some attempt is made to assess the value of his ideas today.