Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics & St. Augustine

 If Augustine were to apply his tapestry metaphor to the concept of Eschatological Fulfillment within the framework of the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI), he might envision an incredibly intricate tapestry encompassing not just one universe but an entire multiverse, each thread representing a different universe with its unique sequence of events, choices, and outcomes.

In this grand tapestry, the light and dark threads would be more numerous and complex than ever imagined, each contributing to the overall design. The dark threads, symbolizing evil and suffering, are not isolated to our singular experience but are woven through countless universes, each reflecting different aspects of human freedom and divine justice. From the perspective of any single universe, particularly those steeped in suffering or evil, the purpose and necessity of these dark threads might be obscure or seemingly unjustifiable.

However, Augustine would likely argue that at the moment of Eschatological Fulfillment—the end of times when all is revealed and every creation is drawn back to God—this tapestry would be seen in its full glory from a divine vantage point. At this ultimate moment, what seemed like disparate and discordant elements of creation would coalesce into a coherent, harmonious whole. The interplay of light and dark threads, which in isolation might appear random or without purpose, would reveal a complex but perfect divine plan, where every thread has its place and significance.

In this eschatological vision, Augustine might suggest that the evils and sufferings experienced in any one world—or indeed, across multiple worlds—are akin to the necessary shadows in a great work of art. These shadows do not exist for their own sake but are essential for the contrast and depth they provide, which enhance the overall beauty and integrity of the artwork. The dark threads make the light ones appear all the brighter, highlighting virtues such as grace, courage, love, and perseverance.

Furthermore, Augustine could extend his metaphor to explain how God, as the divine weaver, uses both the light and dark threads with purpose and intention. Just as a skilled artist does not randomly place dark colors but uses them to enhance the piece's depth and perspective, so too does God permit evil to achieve a greater good that transcends individual universes. In this way, Augustine would reaffirm the omnipotence and omnibenevolence of God, even in the context of an almost unfathomable multiverse.

By applying the tapestry metaphor to the MWI and the concept of Eschatological Fulfillment, Augustine would provide a powerful and vivid illustration of how divine providence might operate across an infinite array of worlds, each contributing to the ultimate revelation and realization of God’s perfect justice and mercy. This grand tapestry, fully appreciated only at the end of times, would reveal that no thread was misplaced, no color was without purpose, and the entire multiverse was a manifestation of divine artistry at its most profound and awe-inspiring.

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