Does Evolution Undermine Christianity? | Prof. James Madden
Jun 1, 2019
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Prof. James Madden, an expert in the intersection of evolution and Christianity, discusses key theses like Mago Dei and special creation, exploring how they intersect with evolution. The podcast delves into human evolution, reconciling science and faith, and explores how physical structures and evolutionary processes provide insights into human traits like rational thinking and morality.
Human capacities suggest a resemblance to God, distinct from other creatures.
Human evolution is the most plausible explanation for biodiversity, supported by evidence from fossil records and genetic similarities between species.
Deep dives
Thesis 1: Mago Dei - Human Distinctiveness
Human beings possess unique capacities such as moral reasoning, theoretical reasoning, and creative abilities, distinct from other creatures, suggesting a resemblance to God.
Thesis 2: Special Creation - Genealogical Distinction
Humans are believed to have originated through a special act, separate from the evolutionary processes that gave rise to other animals, indicating a distinct genealogical origin.
Thesis 3: Natural Theology - Rational Order of Nature
Nature exhibits a rational order that allows for the perception of God's attributes, implying a design that leads to the understanding of a divine being.
Evolution as the Best Explanation
Human evolution is presented as the most plausible explanation for biodiversity, supported by evidence from fossil records and genetic similarities between species, highlighting the compatibility of evolutionary theory and the distinctiveness of human attributes.
This talk was given at the University of Arizona on March 26th, 2019.
For more info about upcoming TI events, visit: thomisticinstitute.org/events-1
Speaker Bio:
Dr. James Madden lives in Atchison with his wife and their children. He is originally from Wisconsin, where he received a B.A. from St. Norbert College, and did his graduate work at Kent State (MA, 1998) and Purdue (Ph.D., 2002). He was awarded the Benedictine College Distinguished Educator of the Year Award in 2006, and he is the author of Mind, Matter, and Nature: A Thomistic Proposal for the Philosophy of Mind (The Catholic University of America Press: 2013)
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