Jesuits in Science

Pontifical University Comillas
Madrid (Spain)
6-10 September 2007

An Outline of the Dynamics

Introduction

Meeting on 29 April – 1 May 2006 in Madrid, J. Leach, J. Monserrat (as hosts of the coming conference), A. Balsas, and P. Gabor (on behalf of the European Jesuits in Science (EJS)), reflecting upon the evaluation of the previous conference (Namur 2005), and concerned for the future of the apostolic sector of Jesuits in Science, we easily reached consensus that the next EJS meeting should be an attempt to bring this sense of urgency to fruition in the form of a renewed commitment of the EJS.

An Outline of the Dynamics

The meeting will comprise two parts: (1) a workshop on a topical subject with invited non-Jesuit participants, (2) an assembly of the EJS with a discussion on the future of the group and its role in the apostolic sector.

• The Workshop. The aim of the workshop is to provide a concrete impetus for the EJS, through an encounter with experts who have a history of collaboration with Jesuits. The workshop could endeavour to compile an overview of the new developments in science inasmuch as they challenge philosophy and theology. Four half-days could be dedicated to the workshop, each focusing on a particular branch of science. We are considering the following: formal sciences, physics, biology (including theoretical biology, applied genetics, origins of life, and ecology), neurology and cognitive science, medicine… (input welcome). Each half-day could pivot around two key papers (one presented by a Jesuit, and the other by a non-Jesuit), prepared in advance, posted on the internet for pre-discussion.
• The Assembly of EJS. All Jesuits who feel that the Society has a role to play in today’s interaction between science and Christian faith are welcome, whether they are actively pursuing a scientific career or not. The aim of the assembly is to make a step towards the future. One of the focuses of our discussion could be the Statutes, another could bring together initiatives aimed at accompanying the discernment of personal missions of young Jesuits with a serious background in science (Vatican Observatory, Chair of Science, Technology and Religion in Madrid in collaboration with lay people…), investigating proposals for a common project (networking, co-ordination, communication) which could strive for a greater visibility of the apostolic sector both ad extra, and within the Society of Jesus.

An Outline of the Programme

• Thursday, 6 September 2007:
  • morning: arrivals
  • 2 p.m.: lunch
  • 4 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.: first half-day of the workshop
  • 7.45 p.m.: mass
  • 9 p.m.: supper
  • 10 p.m. – 10.30 p.m.: a short introduction to the assembly, launching private reflection, and informal discussions for the coming four days
• Friday, 7 September 2007:
  • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: second half-day of the workshop
  • 2 p.m.: lunch
  • 4 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.: third half-day of the workshop
  • 7.45 p.m.: mass
  • 9 p.m.: supper
• Saturday, 8 September 2007:
  • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: fourth (last) half-day of the workshop
  • 1.15 p.m.: mass
  • 2 p.m.: lunch
  • 4 p.m.: visit of Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and the historical centre of Madrid
  • 9 p.m.: supper
• Sunday, 9 September 2007:
  • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: first half-day of the EJS assembly
  • 2 p.m.: lunch
  • 4 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.: second half-day of the EJS assembly
  • 7.45 p.m.: mass
  • 9 p.m.: supper
• Monday, 10 September 2007:
  • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: third (last) half-day of the EJS assembly
  • 2 p.m.: lunch
  • afternoon: departures

Action Points (to be detailed)

• May-June 2006: contacting the key speakers (Jesuit and non-Jesuit), finalizing the four topics for the workshop
• October 2006: new version of the Jesuit in Science web page (with a blogging capability for discussions, including a restricted area for Jesuits only)
• Christmas 2006: posting of the first draft of the papers by the key speakers, beginning of the internet pre-discussion of the draft papers (Back)
• April 2007: constitution of an editorial committee
• 15 June 2007: deadline for the internet pre-discussion
• end of June 2007: editorial finalization of the pre-discussion contributions to be presented during the workshop
• early July 2007: posting of the documents on the web page

An internet pre-discussion

The dynamics of a workshop can be greatly enhanced if the key papers are available to the participants in advance. Those who read the draft papers may want to react, and thus an interesting discussion can take place well before the workshop itself. A written pre-discussion is necessarily of greater quality than discussions during workshops where the participants have no previous knowledge of the presented papers, and have to react instantly with no time for preparation. A workshop preceded by a good pre-discussion can be substantially more focused and streamlined. Under the right circumstances, the organisers may invite the key speakers to give only an abridged version of their papers, time may be provided for a presentation of the pre-discussion, and the ensuing discussion can target salient points identified before the workshop itself.

Internet facilitates this dynamics greatly. An internet site with an appropriate blogging capability is the ideal medium for such pre-discussions. A blog is a web page allowing authorised members of the public to post their reactions and comments which can in turn provoke new reactions and comments. By October 2006, the Jesuit in Science web page is going to be equiped with this feature.

An internet pre-discussion could turn into a modest common project in its own right. By its mere presence on the world-wide web, the pre-discussion may attract the attention of many people, and contribute to a greater visibility of the apostolic sector both ad extra, and within the Society of Jesus.

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Framework for the Physics Key Paper

The key papers could present an attempt at covering the developments in the whole field, in this case, in physics, including

• quantum mechanics,
• cosmology: origins and structure of the Universe, new physics (dark energy),
• astrobiology,
• nanotechnology,
• non-linear systems: complexity, chaos, emergence, etc.
• fundamental physics: ”theories of everything”, superstrings, M-theories, etc.

focusing on their (possible) impact on philosophy and theology. Therefore the key paper could address issues of determinism, causality, origins and structure of space and time, quantum approach to the origins of consciousness, uniqueness of humankind in the Universe, anthropic principle, and other implications on the way humans perceive the world and its history.

The paper could content itself with a simple enumeration of these questions without entering into great detail and technical discussions (but including the most relevant references), pinpointing those aspects of the development in physics which have an impact on our understanding of the world, giving a brief overview of references dealing with these issues (recent works by philosophers and theologians).

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