This book explores the enduring relevance of St. Thomas Aquinas's thought on creation and natural sciences in contemporary discussions. It examines Aquinas's integration of Aristotelian science with Christian theology, offering a comprehensive understanding of his views on the relationship between God, the universe, and natural processes. The book analyzes Aquinas's concept of creation as a metaphysical and theological affirmation, distinguishing it from mere temporal beginnings or scientific explanations of change. It also addresses the ongoing relevance of Aquinas's thought to contemporary debates in cosmology and the philosophy of science. The work challenges common misconceptions about creation and its relationship to scientific discoveries, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between metaphysical and scientific inquiries.
This book examines the complex relationship between Galileo Galilei's scientific work and his religious beliefs. It delves into the historical context of Galileo's conflict with the Inquisition, analyzing the scientific, philosophical, and theological arguments involved. The book explores the tensions between scientific inquiry and religious dogma, offering a nuanced perspective on the historical events and their lasting impact. It also considers the broader implications of the Galileo affair for the ongoing dialogue between science and faith, highlighting the importance of understanding the historical context and the different perspectives involved. The book provides a balanced and insightful analysis of a pivotal moment in the history of science and religion.
This book delves into the profound philosophical and theological insights of St. Thomas Aquinas on the concept of creation. It explores Aquinas's understanding of creation as a relationship of dependence rather than a temporal event, challenging common misconceptions about the conflict between faith and science. The book examines Aquinas's arguments against the idea that creation necessitates a beginning in time, emphasizing the metaphysical aspects of creation as a continuous act of God. It also addresses the implications of Aquinas's views for contemporary debates on cosmology and evolution, offering a nuanced perspective on the harmony between faith and reason. The book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Aquinas's thought on creation and its relevance to modern science.
This book explores the complex and often misunderstood relationship between the concept of creation and the findings of modern science. It examines the historical context of the perceived conflict between faith and science, tracing the evolution of scientific thought and its impact on religious beliefs. The book delves into the philosophical and theological underpinnings of the creation narrative, offering a nuanced perspective on the compatibility of faith and reason. It also addresses contemporary debates on cosmology, evolution, and other scientific advancements, demonstrating how a proper understanding of creation can reconcile seemingly conflicting viewpoints. The book provides a valuable resource for anyone seeking to bridge the gap between science and religion.
Professor William Carroll explores the philosophical and theological implications of cosmological claims about the beginning of the universe, emphasizing the distinction between creation and scientific explanations and cautioning against the "error of beginnings."
This lecture was given on August 29th, 2024, at Brown University.
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About the Speaker:
Professor William E. Carroll has recently retired from research and teaching at the Aquinas Institute of Blackfriars in the University of Oxford. For the past two years he has been a Visiting Professor at the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (Wuhan, China), and at the Hongyi Honor College of Wuhan University. He is a European intellectual historian and historian of science whose research and teaching concern: 1) the reception of Aristotelian science in mediaeval Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, and the development of the doctrine of creation, and 2) the encounter between Galileo and the Inquisition. He has also written extensively on the ways in which mediaeval discussions of the relationship among the natural sciences, philosophy, and theology can be useful in contemporary questions arising from developments in biology and cosmology.
He is the author of four books: Aquinas on Creation; La Creación y las Ciencias Naturales: Actualidad de Santo Tomás de Aquino; Galileo: Science and Faith; and Creation and Science (with translations in Slovak, Spanish, and Chinese). His published work has appeared in 12 languages.
Over many years he has written more than 25 op-ed pieces for Public Discourse, the web site of the Witherspoon Institute at Princeton.
Keywords: Big Bang, Causality, Cosmology, Creation, Ex Nihilo, Hawking, Nothing, Quantum Mechanics, The Grand Design, Vilenkin
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