Omega Point

[6] His book The Phenomenon of Man has been dissected by astrophysicists and cosmologists, and is now viewed as a work positing a theological or philosophical theory that cannot be scientifically proven.

He described evolution as a progression that begins with inanimate matter to a future state of Divine consciousness through Earth's "hominization".

"[11] Teilhard's theory is based on four "properties": ... what would have become of humanity, if, by some remote chance, it had been free to spread indefinitely on an unlimited surface, that is to say, left only to the devices of its internal affinities?

Unlike the scientific definition, which incorporates gravity and mass, Teilhard's forces of compression are sourced from communication and contact between human beings.

This portion of Teilhard's thinking shows his lack of expectation for humans to engage in space travel and transcend the bounds of Earth.

He was born 20 years after the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species; soon after, the claims of scientific theories and those of traditional theological teachings became of great interest to the Vatican.

[17] In 1946, Pope Pius XII stated his concern about the theory of evolution, albeit without condemning it: If such a doctrine were to be spread, what will become of the unchangeable Catholic dogmas, what of the unity and the stability of the Creed?

By 1962, The Society of Jesus had strayed from Spanish Jesuit Priest Francisco Suarez's philosophies on Man in favor of "Teilhardian evolutionary cosmogenesis."

However, Tipler believes that the Omega Point is still workable, arguing that a big crunch/ final singularity is still required under many current universal models.

[24] Eric Steinhart, a proponent of "Christian transhumanism," argues there is a significant overlap of ideas between the secular singularity and Teilhard's religious Omega Point.

[3] Steinhart quotes Ray Kurzweil, who stated that "evolution moves inexorably toward our conception of God, albeit never reaching this ideal.

[26] Point Omega by Don DeLillo takes its name from the theory and involves a character who is studying Teilhard de Chardin.

[28] Scottish writer / counterculture figure Grant Morrison has used the Omega Point as a plot line in several of his Justice League of America and Batman stories.

Part of the driving force for the Milieu of the title is to promote an increase in the population of various intelligent species, including humans, in order to enable them to reach a point of psychic Unity.

Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter's The Light of Other Days references Teilhard de Chardin and includes a brief explanation of the Omega Point.