science and religion

In Technology and Human Becoming, Philip Hefner posits the idea of the “techno-mirror,” a reflection of human understanding of human nature through the technologies we create. Artificial Intelligence research, from its earliest days in the work of Alan Turing, has reflected this more appropriately than perhaps any other technology. The goal of “Good Old Fashion AI” researchers like Marvin Minsky was to create a machine that thinks the way human beings do.

Neither Aristotle nor Aquinas assumes the reality of the evolution of species. Their systems of thought, however, remain open to the new data, offering an essential contribution to the ongoing research concerning scientific, philosophical, and theological aspects of the theory of evolution. Many enthusiasts of theistic evolution willingly accept Aquinas' distinction between primary and secondary, and principal and instrumental causes, to describe theologically "the mechanics" of transformism.

Over the past decade, scientific and technical advances have transformed our understanding of human evolution. Paleogenomics (the recovery, sequencing, and analysis of genomic DNA from ancient individuals) provides powerful tools for retracing the steps of our evolutionary past. Newly discovered species such as Homo naledi point to multiple hominin lineages living simultaneously.

Over the past decade, scientific and technical advances have transformed our understanding of human evolution.  Paleogenomics (the recovery, sequencing, and analysis of genomic DNA from ancient individuals) provides powerful tools for retracing the steps of our evolutionary past.  Newly discovered species such as Homo naledi point to multiple hominin lineages living simultaneously.  New findings and advanced analysis of tools and cultural artefacts from Neandertals and other early humans tend to undermine our confidence in any cultural “big bang” that separates behaviorally m

Over the past decade, scientific discoveries have suggested a new and surprising view of the origins of today’s human family.

In the first of the JST Religion & Culture lecture series, Dr. Deacon will deliver a presentation titled “The Redemption of Science.” He will propose a theory to naturalize teleology and make steps toward a reconciliation between the “hard” sciences and considerations of meaning and value.

When: October 21, 7:00pm
Where: Gesu Chapel at the Jesuit School of Theology, 1735 LeRoy Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709