In this Issue:





Conference Focal Theme Questions


Conference 1

Does the fine-tuning of our visible universe provide a point of departure in the quest for the ultimate meaning of existence or is it merely an argument for an endless sea of isolated multiverses?



Conference 2

Which of three following options provides the most robust argument for the source of actual human norms: human culture per se, an ultimate reality that is coincident with and immanent in nature, or an ultimate reality which transcends (while including) nature and culture?



Conference 3

If the case for strong emergence is successful, will it address the problem of causal closure in physics by appealing to a transcendent source of causality or to a natural source that is inaccessible to physics — or to neither option?





STARS eNewsletter    Volume 1, Issue 5



All eNewsletters are available online at www.ctnsstars.org/enews
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STARS News

Thank you for your interest in our program. The purpose of the enews is to keep you informed on events and happenings of the STARS program. A new letter will be available periodically with updated information on conferences, grants, and the latest news brought to you by the STARS team.


•    STARS FAQ is online.

Look in the top right corner for the navigation link.


• Sample Conference FAQ questions.

20. Do I have to be part of a team to apply for a conference?  
A. Conference applications are made and evaluated on an individual basis. Individuals may or may not be part of an already existing inter-disciplinary research team.


31. Why are the conferences being held in Mexico?  
... see faq for answer


37. Are international applicants eligible for participation in a STARS conference?
... see faq for answer


• Research planning grant applications available online .


• This issue's Featured Conference Speaker is STARS advisor, Paul Davies.

Paul Davies is a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist, author and broadcaster. He currently holds the position of Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Macquarie University. His previous academic appointments were at the Universities of Cambridge, London, Newcastle upon Tyne and Adelaide. His research has ranged from the origin of the universe to the origin of life, and includes the properties of black holes, the nature of time and quantum field theory. Davies is well known as the winner of the 1995 Templeton Prize - the world's largest annual prize - for his work on science and religion.

Paul Davies will be speaking at the third STARS conference. View conference information.





STARS Conferences

STARS will convene a series of three interdisciplinary conferences in the Mexican Riviera, on the Yucatan Peninsula in January 2007. The conferences will showcase an aspect of how current scientific discoveries and theories relate to our understanding of ultimate reality. Each conference will be led by an eminent scientific figure in the field, and will allow ample time for lectures as well as formal and informal discussions. Conference attendance is by application only. STARS conferences are designed to assist scholars in formulating their planning & research grant proposals.

All "on the ground costs" will be covered by CTNS, including: lodging, meals, and local transportation. Airfare assistance is available for qualified applicants, and may be requested during the application process (See online application for more details). If selected to attend a STARS Conference, conference participants will be expected to pay the conference registration fee when notified of acceptance.

Conference registration fees are:
  • $125 for CTNS members
  (for CTNS membership details, please go to: http://www.ctns.org/membership.html)
  • $175 for non-members

View conference topics & speakers

Conference criteria.



STARS Grants

Research grants will be awarded to inter-disciplinary teams consisting of at least one scientist and one philosopher and/or theologian. Teams may also be larger than this minimum size. The first grant opportunity consists of a planning grant of $20,000. Twenty grants at this level will be awarded, and are to assist teams in the formation of their full research proposal for the $100K grants and/or to provide modest support for research by the teams even if this does not lead to a full research proposal. Next, five grants of $100,000 each will be awarded on a highly competitive basis. Although to win a $100,000 grant a research team need not have received a $20,000 planning grant, it is presumed that the reception of a $20,000 grant will better equip a research team to successfully compete for one of the five $100,000 grants. Finally, two research grant renewals of $200,000 will be awarded on a highly competitive basis from among the five winners of the $100,000 grants.

View Grant Information


• Grant Applications available online .



About STARS

The goal of STARS is to sponsor research by small teams of scientists and humanities scholars on the ways science, in light of philosophical and religious reflection, points towards the nature, character and meaning of ultimate reality. Priority will be given to young scientists with outstanding potential who are relatively new to interdisciplinary research. Admission to preparatory conferences and the awarding of STARS research grants will be on a highly competitive basis.


Meet the STARS advisors and staff.


For contact info please visit us on the web at www.ctnsstars.org/contactus



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Appreciation is expressed to the John Templeton Foundation for support of this program.