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Richard Dawkins vs Cardinal George Pell

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Richard Dawkins and Catholic Cardinal George Pell discuss religion, morals and evolution on Q&A. (10-4-2012 ABC TV)

Read the full transcript here


The Origins of Life: Nature’s agency and/or Divine Intervention

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Rafael Vicuña, professor in microbiology, molecular biology and xenobiology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Santiago, Chile, presents his scientific and philosophical views on the origins of life during the 2014 Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on ‘Evolving Concepts of Nature’. In his talk, he gives the most recent insights in the natural explanations on the emergence of life out of non-living matter end his reflections on complexity, design, divine intervention (if so), natural and divine causality.

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The Catholic Church and Evolution: The Value of Interdisciplinary Scholarship

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Dr. Daniel Kuebler, Professor of Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, delivers his talk entitled “The Catholic Church and Evolution: The Value of Interdisciplinary Scholarship.” Dr. Kuebler’s talk was part of the Faculty Research Colloquia at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Published on Dec. 21th 2015


Randomness and Other Metaphors in the Theory of Evolution

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Very interesting (and entertaining) talk about randomness and other metaphors in the theory of evolution, held by Ard Louis, professor of theoretical physics at the University of Oxford, on the occasion of the BioLogos Conference on Evolution & Christian Faith, June 30 – July 2, 2015 in the Eberhard Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.


Biologos: How Evolution Works, Part 1

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Sience and faith in a historical perspective

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23 Clips from an interview with Prof. Peter Harrison, former Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, and director of the Centre of the History of European Discourses at the University of Queensland. Harrison gives a nuanced answers to questions on the differences and the interplay between science and faith from a historical perspective. He answers questions about the presumed conflict between science and faith, about Copernicus, Galileo and Darwin.

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Morality is not a Biological Issue

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Bear-600x375Modern biology makes us believe that we descended from the animal world and that we are nothing more than glorified animals. However, even if we did descend from the animal world, that doesn’t mean all our characteristics were transferred to us through genes and umbilical cords. For example, our anatomy and physiology did come from there, but what about our rationality and morality? In this article, I will focus on morality alone and argue that what sets us apart from the animal world is exactly the fact that we are rational and moral beings who can make rational and moral decisions. Take rationality or morality away from us, and we are indistinguishable from animals.

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Can Darwinism Survive without Teleology?

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Origin_of_SpeciesEver since Darwin, the concept of teleology has been suspect among biologists. What is so controversial about teleology? Most likely, its history! From the earliest Greek philosophers on, it was widely believed that the world must have a purpose because, as Aristotle would put it, “nature does nothing in vain,” and neither does God, as a Jew or Christian would say. In this often misunderstood view, any change in this world is due to final causes that move things to an ultimate goal, a predetermined end. All things would achieve certain ends or goals because they were designed that way by nature or by God; that’s how hormones, for instance, are supposed to reach their target cells.

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Thomas Aquinas versus Intelligent Design: a Catholic Answer

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thomasaquinas-670Michael W. Tkacz, associate professor of philosophy at Gonzaga University, recounts that one day, he received a phone call from a professor of philosophy at a nearby private, religiously affiliated college who had just returned from an international conference devoted to challenges to evolutionary biology from intelligent design (ID) theory. He had something of a complaint to make about the absence of ‘Thomists’ and ‘Catholics’ in the ID movement and its challenge to Darwinism. Since the time of Charles Darwin there has been vigorous debate between Christian creationists and Darwinian evolutionists. Neither side has been especially interested in what Catholic Thomism might contribute to the discussion. Secular Darwinians often view Thomists as just another species of literalists attempting to substitute the Book of Genesis for good biology. On the other hand, Protestant creationists often have viewed Thomists as already halfway to secularism and naturalism, depending too little on a literal reading of Scripture and too much on philosophical reasoning.

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