purpose: exploring possible areas for new research

Since the discovery of C-12 synthesis in stars by Hoyle et al. 50 years ago, the concept of "fine-tuning" has become a major subject of research in physics and cosmology. In contrast, relatively little serious research has taken place in chemistry. The nature of an analogous inquiry in chemistry might well be intrinsically more complex and difficult. Thus, a focus question for this project is: Do analog domains for discovery exist in biochemistry that correspond with that of the study of "fine-tunings" in physics and cosmology? This question clearly carries central significance for the emerging fields of astrobiology and exoplanetary astronomy/cosmology.

Given that discussion of fine-tuning thus far has been mainly among physicists, it may prove fruitful to support cross-disciplinary research to frame an appropriate and perhaps different set of exploratory questions. This project will bring together distinguished leaders in physics and cosmology with their counterparts in the heart of the research discipline of biochemistry. This interdisciplinary gathering benefits from the addition of a carefully selected group of historians, philosophers, theologians, and special experts from other directly relevant scientific disciplines.

This project is aimed at developing research opportunities that evaluate such questions. As with research on fine-tuning in physics and cosmology, such research in biochemistry should be very important for understanding a core research question posed by Sir John Templeton: Is there evidence of purpose in the cosmos? More specifically, through our proposed research project, we are asking: Does our rapidly growing understanding of complex chemistry offer evidence of some kind, or kinds, of purpose? If so, the associated metaphysical and theological discussions will be just as interesting — or perhaps even more fascinating-than for cosmological fine-tuning.

Our goals are:

To bring top research experts together to explore the question of whether analogs exist in biochemistry that broadly correspond to "fine tunings" in physics and cosmology. Our previous Cosmology and Fine-Tuning Research Program supported exploration of the core question of whether evidence of universal purpose in the cosmos exists. This project proposes to encourage research on the same theological/scientific question through the field of biochemistry, a line of inquiry not nearly as well developed as it is in cosmology. This task will exercise scientific and intellectual leadership and will provide a ground-level opportunity for setting new research agendas to advance basic understanding of the nature and significance of life in the widest cosmological and philosophical context.

To build a rigorous basis for a new ~$1 million research grants program in biochemistry aimed at extending Cosmology and Fine-Tuning into the relatively little-explored domain of biochemistry, if scientific warrant exists to do so. This is very important for the search for evidence of purpose in the living world.

To clarify reasons why, despite Henderson's initiation of the modern field of inquiry 90 years ago, research into "fine-tuning" has been almost nonexistent in biochemistry compared with the very fruitful exploration in physics and cosmology over the past 50 years since the potent discovery of the "triple-alpha" nucleosynthesis of C-12 in stars by Hoyle et al.

To examine some of Henderson's arguments (for example, on water) and celebrate some of his lifetime accomplishments (for example, his co-founding of Harvard's Society of Fellows).

To clarify important distinctions in the discussion of the presence or absence of aspects of "fine-tuning" in biochemistry with respect to debates involving the polemical anti-evolution advocacy of the neocreationist "intelligent design" movement.

To develop an exemplary model of academic research inquiry combining serious deep research on cutting-edge questions in biochemistry with an appropriately diverse interdisciplinarity of talent. Accomplishing productive examination of "really big questions" in science necessarily involves a wide range of expertise and willingness of participants to read, think, and converse widely outside of their domains of specialization.

mission: three initiatives

In summary, the overall research project will consist of three major initiatives that will be developed and implemented over the next few years:

Initiative One, the exploratory workshop at Harvard October 11-12, 2003 and subsequent publication of a research volume, will be followed by two further initiatives:

Initiative Two, 2004-Grants Competition: John Templeton Foundation-funded open global RFP-based ~$1 million global grants competition.

Initiative Three, 2007-Advanced Awards: Possible competition for advanced research development awards.