Science and the Spiritual Quest Conference
Wheeler Auditorium, University of California, Berkeley CA
June 7-10, 1998
Presented by the Center for Theology and
the Natural Sciences
Conference Overview
Science and religion are clearly two of the most important cultural forces
in the world today. The growth of knowledge in the natural sciences is
revolutionizing our understanding of the universe, planet Earth, and ourselves.
At the same time, the great monotheistic religious traditions - Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam - remain powerful spiritual forces that shape
and influence billions of people around the world. They have shown strength
and resilience in the face of cultural change, which has occurred at an
unprecedented pace and magnitude.
At the Science and the Spiritual Quest Conference, we looked at some
of the critical points of contact between science and religion through
the eyes of distinguished scientists who have been influenced by the monotheistic
traditions.
What challenges, and what opportunities, does science present to these
traditions? How, in turn, have the fundamental principles of religious
faith affected the development of theory in the sciences? Must we accept
the popular stereotype that religion and science can only have an antagonistic
relationship in our age?
Through scientific presentations, autobiographical reflections and panel
discussions, cosmologists, physicists, biologists, and computer scientists
reflected on such monotheistic assumptions as: a transcendent deity who
is also present within the created universe, the sense of purpose and
destiny for the universe and the moral and spiritual distinctiveness of
the human being.
This conference provided attendees with:
- A clearer understanding of the relationship between science and religion
as seen through the eyes of practicing scientists
- A historical and cultural background in which to place the science
and religion dialogue
- Helpful perspectives for teaching interdisciplinary courses
- An informed sense of places of consonance and dissonance between science
and spirituality
- A broader picture of the possibilities for constructive science and
religion dialogue
Topics discussed:
Does Science Offer Evidence of a Transcendent Reality and Purpose?
John Barrow,
BSc, DPhil; Astronomy Center, University of Sussex
Cyril Domb,
MA. PhD, FRS; Bar Ilan University
Mehdi Golshani,
PhD; Sharif University of Technology
Mitch Marcus,
PhD; University of Pennsylvania
Science and Morality - Is there a Bridge?
Jocelyn Bell
Burnell, BSc, PhD; The Open University
George F.R.
Ellis, PhD, University of Capetown
Kenneth S.
Kendler, MD; Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth
University
Rustum Roy,
BSc, MSc, PhD; Pennsylvania State University
Henry Thompson,
BA, MSc, MA, PhD; Human Communication Research Centre, University
of Edinburgh
Science and the Spiritual Quest: Creative interaction in the Making
Carl Feit,
PhD; Yeshiva University
Bruno Guiderdoni,
PhD; Paris Institute of Astrophysics
Andrei Linde,
PhD; Stanford University
John
Polkinghorne, MA, PhD, ScD; Queens College, United Kingdom
Is There Common Ground in Practice and Experience of Science and Religion?
Joel Primack,
AB, PhD; University of California at Santa Cruz
Pauline Rudd,
BSc, PhD; Glycobiology Institute, University of Oxford
William Stoeger,
AB, M, STM, PhD; University of Arizona
E. George
Sudarshan, PhD, MA, Bsc, Dsc; University of Texas
Reductionism Versus Holism: Multiple Models of the Spiritual Quest
Brian Cantwell Smith,
PhD, MS, BS; Indiana University
Martinez J.
Hewlett, PhD; University of Arizona
Kevin Kelly, Wired
Magazine
Mark Pesce, blitcom,
llc
Allan Sandage, PhD,The Carnegie Observatory, Physics
The Distinctiveness of Being Human: How Science Informs the Spiritual
Quest
Lindon Eaves,
DSc, MA, PhD, GOE, BS; Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth
University
Anne Foerst, Dr.
Theol., MA, BA; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Artificial Intelligence
Laboratory
Ayub Ommaya,
MA, MD; George Washington University Medical Center
Charles Townes,
BA, BS, MA, PhD, LLD; University of California at Berkeley
Mark Weiser,
MS, PhD; Xerox Palo Alto Research Center
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