Science-Engaged Theology in the Catholic Tradition

Call for Papers

It looks as if a new and exciting movement is emerging in the science-and-religion discourse: Science-Engaged Theology. Theology is science-engaged if and only if science is, and is used as, a source of theological knowledge. Even if the term may be new, there are several questions this workshop will address:

• Is the idea that science provides a source for theology novel?

• Are there relevant precursors in the theological tradition from whom we could learn how best to engage with the sciences?

• And what difference does it make how we interpret the sources of theology?

• What resources does the Catholic tradition provide, as distinct from the predominantly Protestant debate?

• How does the Catholic teaching on Faith and Reason affect theology’s engagement with science? 

To answer these and similar questions, we are interested not only in methodological contributions, but also in historical and systematic case studies.

Please submit a 300-word abstract for a 20-minute paper on a related topic by 31 March 2025 to iasilva@austral.edu.ar. Papers will be allocated 40 minutes each, with 20 minutes for presentation and 20 for Q&A. There may be some presentations online, but preference will be given to in-person presentations (please indicate whether you would prefer an online presentation in your submission). Please also include a brief academic biography (c. 100 words).

Participation at this event is free. If you're not presenting a paper and want to participate, please register your presence at the same email address.

Organisers:

Dr Amerigo Barzaghi - Saint Louis University-Madrid

Dr Simon Kopf - ITI Catholic University

Dr Ignacio Silva - Universidad Austral