'Is there a future for “Natural Theology”? Evolution, Cooperation and the Question of God’

Fri 1 July 2016

Clare Hall, Richard Eden Suite - West Court

The latter part of the 20th century saw a revulsion against classic forms of "natural theology" which was propelled much by theological fashion as by secular scientific resistance. This lecture laid out a cautious case for the reconsideration of a new style of "natural theology". It did so in the light of remarkable new discoveries in mathematicalized accounts of evolutionary "cooperation" which significantly challenge the idea of pervasive randomness in evolutionary processes. The ethical and teleological questions which are raised by these cooperative phenomena, it has been argued, demand some sort of meaning-making response and ultimately metaphysical issues cannot be shirked. The question of God has been reconsidered in this context, with a surprising final twist to the argument in which the human epistemic subject is itself drawn towards an invited transformation.?

The lecture will be followed by a wine reception. All are welcome.

This series of Anniversary Lectures for 2016 have been organised by Dr Annamaria Motrescu-Mayes, Fellow of Clare Hall.

Cost: Free