Research Group in Science, Philosophy and Religion

Research Group in Science, Philosophy and Religion

Institute for Philosophy and Religion
Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität
Frankfurt

This group has established an active society in the setting of a research center for science and religion. The core dialogue and planning group meets monthly, combining philosophers and theologians from Protestant and Catholic faculties, physicists, biologists, chemists, medical doctors, with philosophers of science for broad exploration and innovation in the field of religion and science. At the academic level, members of the group offer a combination of courses, seminars and a Masters Degree Program for graduate students, with a concentration in science and religion. An ongoing series of lectures and an annual conference, featuring internationally recognized philosophers, scientists, and theologians, brings together a wide array of academics with potential future partners and collaborators on projects within the science-faith dialogue. The group also oversees the publication of the proceedings of the annual conference for distribution. A partnership with the local Rabanus Maurus Academy, which holds workshops, conferences, classes and other events for the general public, presents a unique opportunity for outreach. Outreach efforts seek joint research project ventures with other area associations, academies, and society groups, to allow for greater exposure and advancement of the value of science and religion in Germany. Topics explored cover a wide spectrum of historic and contemporary themes in science and religion such as evolution, concepts of self-organization, synergy, chaos theories, sociobiology, brain research and philosophy of mind, and current genetic research.