Theology in Physics: Hidden Gods of the Scientific Imagination Part 15 — Symmetry and Sacred Order

Thesis: Symmetry principles in physics often function as secularised notions of cosmic perfection, echoing theological ideas of divine order.

Observation: Laws of physics frequently rely on symmetry — invariance under transformation, conservation arising from Noether’s theorem, and symmetry-breaking in particle physics. Symmetry is described as “fundamental,” “beautiful,” or “perfect,” language that parallels theological admiration for cosmic harmony.

Analysis: Conceptually, symmetry serves as a theological trace: the universe is imagined as pre-ordered, balanced, and aesthetically harmonious. Relational processes and perspectival actualisation are subordinated to an overarching ideal of perfection. The language of “elegance” and “beauty” in theory selection reinforces a quasi-religious valuation, implying that nature conforms to humanly apprehensible order.

Implication: By treating symmetry as sacred, physics risks privileging form over process, interpreting relational patterns as manifestations of a preordained aesthetic. This subtly embeds a metaphysical hierarchy: underlying order becomes an end in itself rather than a relational product of interacting phenomena.

Conclusion: A relational perspective treats symmetry as emergent from interactions, not as evidence of cosmic perfection. Recognising the theological residue in symmetry principles allows physics to focus on relational actualisation, rather than on abstracted ideals projected onto nature.