• Augustine Pamplany CST

Charles Coulson (1910-1974) was a renowned British applied mathematician and theoretical chemist who made significant contributions to mathematics and chemistry.

Coulson’s primary academic focus was on the application of mathematics to physical chemistry, specifically quantum chemistry. His most influential work, Valence, first published in 1952, became a landmark text in the field, offering a comprehensive account of the nature of chemical bonding using quantum mechanics. Coulson was instrumental in the development of the molecular orbital theory, which provided a mathematical framework for understanding how electrons are distributed within molecules. His work bridged mathematics, physics, and chemistry, making complex quantum concepts more accessible to chemists and advancing the theoretical underpinnings of chemical bonding. He developed methods for calculating molecular structures, bond energies, and other characteristics that have become foundational in computational chemistry. His legacy still holds strong in the fields such as organic chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Coulson was deeply committed to exploring the relationship between science and religion. He was an active member of the Methodist Church and frequently spoke on the compatibility of scientific inquiry and Christian faith. Coulson rejected the notion of a conflict between science and religion. He believed that both realms could coexist without contradiction, each providing a unique lens through which to view the world.

Coulson advocates for an integrated view where science and religion enrich each other, rather than being at odds: “To think that we can fit God into a scientific framework is to misunderstand both science and God. Science is about knowledge, but God is about wisdom and love.” Coulson stresses that God’s nature transcends scientific analysis, emphasizing a more relational and experiential understanding of the divine: “To be a scientist and a believer is not to have a split personality, but to be a complete person who sees the world as a coherent whole.”

Coulson rejected the idea of the God of the gaps which presents God as merely an explanation for the gaps in scientific understanding. According to him, “God is not a mere explanation for the gaps in our knowledge. He is the ground of all being, the basis of all existence, and the source of all life. Coulson highlights the idea that the pursuit of scientific knowledge can deepen one’s sense of awe and appreciation for creation: “The true scientist is not afraid of the unknown. He does not take refuge in God because of a gap in his knowledge; he worships God because he finds that the universe is more marvellous, more intricate, more beautiful than he had imagined.”

Coulson saw God’s presence in the order and regularity of natural laws, emphasizing that scientific discoveries could enhance, rather than diminish, a sense of divine wonder. He famously said, “When we come to the edge of all the light we have and take a step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on, or we will be taught to fly.”

Coulson was also an advocate for ethical considerations in science, urging that scientific progress should be guided by moral principles. He believed that faith could provide a moral compass, helping scientists navigate the ethical implications of their work.