Pathways to Flourishing: A Dialogue of Science, Religion and Politics at Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury, Vermont
With membership initially drawn from faculty, staff, and the local clergy association this group seeks to encourage student participation and reach beyond the campus into the surrounding community of church members, scientists, local physicians, artists, and other area colleges and universities. The society facilitates dialogue between science and religion in response to the following question: What are the prospects for global human flourishing in the 21st century? Focusing on the practical benefits of the interaction between the disciplines of science and religion members consider the visions, notions, convergence, and divergence in the concept of human flourishing through the lens of scientific and faith-based perspectives. The society supports invited speakers, reading groups, theatrical performances, a web site and related newsletter, and associated publicity and social events to support growth and cohesion. All events will be digitally recorded and made available on the website. A variety of topics such as philosophy of science, epistemology, cosmology, evolution, neuroscience, and environmental science inform the central question articulated. The society actively seeks collaboration with other area LSI groups. Matching funds are provided by Middlebury College.