Christian Philosophy facing Naturalism (2024)

The Institute of Philosophy of Ignatianum University in Cracow is organizing an international conference dedicated to the problems of Christian Philosophy entitled:

Christian Philosophy facing Naturalism
September 24–25, 2024

All are cordially invited to attend the conference on-site at the University building at Kopernika 26 in Kraków.
We are pleased to announce that the conference will also be streamed – the links can be found in the conference program.

The dispute between naturalism and anti-naturalism has been underway almost since the very beginnings of philosophy. Christian thinkers, by proclaiming that God as Creator transcends the reality He has created, and that human beings as persons transcend the material world, have entered this dispute on the anti-naturalist side. The contemporary dominance in culture of the naturalistic paradigm requires Christian philosophy to reflect on naturalism in the broadest sense (in its various forms), together with its conditions and consequences, and to rethink its relationship to this philosophical tradition. Naturalism rejects the possibility of something existing, being known, or being explained that is separate from the material reality given in empirical cognition. Along with this, it denies human beings transcendence with respect to the natural or social world. In its contemporary iteration, this tradition appeals to the solutions and methods of domain-specific forms of scientific inquiry, relying on them for its own authority. For Christian philosophy, naturalism represents a powerful challenge. It is possible to see in it a threat to Christian philosophy, but it is also possible to discern in it an opportunity for a more critical evaluation of Christian philosophy’s previous solutions, and an opportunity to develop new ones. There is a need for a better understanding of naturalism itself, as well as of what the various domain-specific sciences (including the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities and, currently, neuroscientific research in particular) have to say about the world and about human beings. Systematic and historico-philosophical questions equally still call for debate – in relation to the centuries-old dispute between naturalism and anti-naturalism, as well as the changing place of Christian thought within it. In our own time, one can witness diverse attempts by Christian thinkers both to critically discuss naturalistic positions and to implement naturalistic approaches or solutions within Christian thought itself. Certainly, the latter cannot ignore the fact that naturalism allows philosophy to maintain cognitive contact with domain-specific forms of scientific inquiry.

Project co-financed from the state budget funds granted by the Minister of Education and Science within the framework of the „Excellent Science II” Programme (Poland).

Our Conference is co-financed by the City of Cracow.
www.dlabiznesu.krakow.pl/nauka
https://www.facebook.com/BiznesiNaukawKrakowie

Kraków.pl

Krakow – due to its demographic, economic, social and scientific-cultural strength – ranks second in Poland among cities. It has unique values that are the basis of its economic development and an increase in the quality of life. It has high-quality human capital at its disposal. It is a city people consciously choose as a place to live, work, study, spend free time in a variety of ways. Sustainable development and the ability to meet specific challenges with the skillful use of own resources are the main priorities.

The academic center, with its 650 year old University , is permanently connected with the city and builds an unrepeated resource of knowledge in a unique way. It is the key to competitiveness and innovation not only of Krakow, but also of the entire region. The intensively developing economy based on knowledge is a completely new process in the economic life of the City, which makes it part of the modern economies of the world.

The overriding goal for Krakow is not only to be a modern city but also to be proud of its historical heritage. It aspires to be an open, rich, friendly and safe metropolis, vibrant with culture. Smart management and strengthening the sphere of modern services and the research and development sector are the foundations for the development of Krakow – a city where innovation and effective cooperation between science and business are the focus.

We invite you to visit our website and learn about the possibilities offered by magical Krakow – rooted in tradition, sensitive to everyday life and open to development: www.dlabiznesu.krakow.pl

Fot. Piotr Krochmal

Print PDF eBook

Contrast

Increase text size

Increase letter spacing

Use dyslexia-friendly fonts

Enlarge cursor

Link highlighting

Stop animations

Reset settings

Accessibility menu:
Contrast
Increase text size
Increase letter spacing
Use dyslexia-friendly fonts
Enlarge cursor
Link highlighting
Stop animations
Reset settings
Scroll to Top