
Unbelievable? Beyond Naturalism: What’s Real? Dr. Alex Carter vs Dr. Zachary Ardern - Hosted by Sam McKee
Nov 6, 2025
Join Dr. Zachary Ardern, an evolutionary genomics researcher, and Dr. Alex Carter, a philosophy expert from Cambridge, as they tackle the timeless debate between science and religion. They explore how these domains can inform each other and discuss the nature of knowledge. The duo delves into whether scientific evidence can challenge religious beliefs and why consciousness remains a conundrum beyond scientific explanation. Expect thought-provoking insights on meaning, existence, and how even suffering can express divine mystery!
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Philosophy Meets Genomics
- Zachary Ardern recounts his background in both philosophy and biology and work on evolutionary genomics.
- He uses that mixed background to explore big questions about life, faith and reality.
Dialogue Over Conflict
- Dialogue best captures the relationship between science and religion while acknowledging truth in multiple models.
- Alex Carter argues conflict is unhelpful and misunderstandings drive hostile debates.
Don't Explain Away Meaning
- Distinguish explanation from explanation‑away when discussing religion and science.
- Avoid reducing rituals or meaning to mere psychological causes, which misses their value.




