Cullen Buie, a professor of biological engineering at MIT, and Marcelo Gleiser, a professor of physics and astronomy at Dartmouth, explore the often challenging concept of intellectual humility. They discuss why admitting ignorance is crucial in academia and how their religious views promote openness. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration across disciplines to tackle societal issues. Personal anecdotes and literary references underscore how embracing failure can drive both personal growth and innovation.

Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist from NYU and author of 'The Anxious Generation,' joins Andy Crouch, a partner for theology and culture at Praxis Labs and author of 'The Life We’re Looking For,' for a captivating discussion on technology's impact on spirituality and self-identity. They delve into how smartphones alter our sense of self and challenge genuine connections, especially in youth. The conversation also highlights the importance of sacrifice, community, and regaining control over attention to enhance personal flourishing in a tech-driven world.

It’s election season in America, and that brings a lot of questions about how we interact in the public square. How do we disagree respectfully across our differences? What do we do with competing truth claims in a pluralistic society?   In today’s episode, you’ll hear pastor and author Tim Keller (1950 — 2023) discuss these questions. Tim lays out a brief history of pluralism in America, four perspectives on building a pluralistic society, and what his Christian faith can offer to the conversation.   This forum was held at New York University in 2017 and originally titled “The Closing of the Modern Mind.” It’s one of our most popular forums, with over 300,000 views on YouTube. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.   Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

In today’s episode, a physicist explores this question: Where do you see beauty in the world, and does it point to a higher purpose? You’ll hear from Ard Louis, a professor of theoretical physics at Oxford. Ard shares why he finds his research beautiful, where he believes the laws of nature come from, and how his Christian worldview helps him make sense of science. This forum was held at MIT in 2013. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear the story of Molly Worthen. As a journalist and historian at UNC, Molly has written about Christians for years as an outsider. But in this conversation, she shares how something unexpected happened to her recently: she became one. Molly talks with Lorien Foote, a history professor at Texas A&M. They explore Molly’s worldview before becoming a Christian, the evidence that led her to faith, and how changing her mind wasn’t as scary as she expected. This forum was held at Texas A&M in Spring 2024. Thank you to the forum planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Dallas Willard, a revered philosophy professor, intricately examines how our worldviews shape our behaviors and perceptions. He invites listeners to question their own beliefs, emphasizing the significance of Jesus's teachings in cultivating a fulfilling perspective. Willard discusses the clash between faith and secular academia, revealing how societal norms can distort our understanding of truth. He advocates for a critical evaluation of our worldview assumptions, encouraging openness to diverse perspectives in the pursuit of truth.

Praveen Sethupathy, a physiological genomics professor at Cornell, and David Rudge, a biological sciences professor at Western Michigan, dive into the nature of knowledge. They question whether science is the sole path to understanding, exploring alternative ways of knowing such as culture and personal experiences. The discussion touches on the interplay of faith and science, and the importance of critical thinking in navigating scientific authority. They also share personal journeys that blend scientific inquiry with spiritual exploration.

Advances in artificial intelligence and computing technology are happening at breakneck speed. Yet even the best A. I. today still falls short. Whether it's a frustratingly unhelpful chatbot, the uncanny valley of immersive virtual reality, or the nonsensical answers of ChatGPT. Are these glitches a short-term problem? Or is there something about human experiences that make them impossible to program? In today’s episode, a computer scientist and an experimental philosopher discuss just that. In this Forum event from 2013, you’ll hear from Rosalind Picard (MIT) and Joshua Knobe (Yale). In a conversation moderated by neuroscientist Nii Addy (Yale), Roz and Joshua attempt to define what it means to be human, discuss how agency and experience shape our view of others, and how we ought to fight against dehumanization. Thank you to the forum planning team at Yale for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

In this engaging discussion, Curt Thompson, a practicing psychiatrist, and Victor Strecher, a professor of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan, dive deep into the art of storytelling. They explore how personal narratives shape our identity and well-being, emphasizing the importance of community in this process. The conversation also touches on finding purpose through connection, resilience in times of grief, and the blend of scientific insights with spiritual understanding, offering valuable perspectives on human flourishing.

The podcast features theologian Mirsolav Volf and Dean of Students Vijay Pendakur discussing the balance between truth and tolerance in society. They address the complexities of living together despite differences, the role of compromise in community, physical and emotional safety on college campuses, and speaking the truth in love. The conversation explores navigating truth, values, and tolerance, respectful dialogue, and understanding different viewpoints in diverse settings.