How and when did hominins move from the numerical cognition that we share with the rest of the an... more How and when did hominins move from the numerical cognition that we share with the rest of the animal world to number symbols? Objects with sequential markings were used to store and retrieve numerical information since the beginning of the European Upper Palaeolithic (42 kyr). An increase in the number of markings and complexity of coding is observed towards the end of this period. The application of new analytical techniques to a 44–42 kyr-old-notched baboon fibula from Border Cave, South Africa, shows that notches were added to this bone at different times, suggesting that devices to store numerical information were in use before the Upper Palaeolithic. Analysis of a set of incisions on a 72–60 kyr-old-hyena femur from the Les Pradelles Mousterian site, France, indicates, by comparison to markings produced by modern subjects under similar constraints, that the incisions on the Les Pradelles bone may have been produced to record, in a single session, homologous units of numerical information. This finding supports the view that numerical notations were in use among archaic hominins. Based on these findings, a testable five-stage scenario is proposed to establish how prehistoric cultures have moved from number sense to the use of number symbols.This article is part of the themed issue 'The origins of numerical abilities'.
espanolLa Carta Enciclica Laudato si' insta a recordar la verdadera dimension del cuidado de ... more espanolLa Carta Enciclica Laudato si' insta a recordar la verdadera dimension del cuidado de la creacion, en beneficio de todos los seres humanos y todos los seres vivos, sin discriminacion. A la vista de los problemas actuales y urgentes a escala mundial, se hace aun mas imperativo que el hombre participe en la custodia de la naturaleza con amor y responsabilidad, renunciando a las pretensiones de dominio no controladas. En la primera parte de este trabajo, esperamos poner de relieve las razones por las que resulta esencial la contribucion de la empresa cientifica, vista sobre todo como una actividad cultural humana con el objetivo de conocer, de forma controlada y universalmente compartida, la naturaleza creada en virtud de su propia inteligibilidad. Por lo tanto, dada la especial importancia que la dimension ambiental asume en la enciclica, se dirige la atencion al campo de la ciencia biologica, que muestra que las investigaciones recientes se han centrado sobre los factores ambientales, reconocidos como fundamentales para la creacion, preservacion y evolucion de todos los seres vivos. Posteriormente, tendremos en cuanta las perspectivas de la investigacion reciente en el campo de los estudios cientificos sobre el hombre y la sociedad humana, donde el entorno de referencia esta fuertemente caracterizado por elementos culturales. Se tratara de esbozar las condiciones de un proceso dinamico esencial iluminado por los resultados cientificos: por un lado, algunos aspectos biologicos son esenciales para el desarrollo de la cultura y, por otro, algunos acontecimientos culturales, especialmente los relacionados con la ensenanza y aprendizaje, se pueden alimentar de nuevo en el mismo sustrato biologico. Una mayor conciencia de las relaciones mutuas entre la naturaleza y la cultura - se sugerira finalmente - ayudara a alcanzar esa "vision mas integral e integrante" defendida por el Papa para una "cultura de la atencion", basada en el amor y la inteligencia. italianoThe Encyclical Letter Laudato si' urges to recover the authentic care for the created world for the benefit of every human being as well as of every living creature without discrimination. In front of current pressing problems on the global scale, it becomes even more compelling that humans exert their stewardship over nature with love and responsibility, relinquishing claims to uncontrolled dominion. In the first part of the present work, we will point at the reasons why the contribution coming from the scientific enterprise results essential, as science is seen primarily as a human cultural activity aimed at obtain-ing, in a controlled and shareable way, knowledge of the created world by virtue of its own intelligibility. Then, given the particular relevance assumed by the ecological dimension in the Encyclical, we will turn the attention to the field of biological science, showing that recent perspectives of investigation are focused precisely on environmental factors, which are recognized as fundamental for the constitution, preservation, and evolution of every libing being. Successively, we will consider recent perspectives of research in the studies on man and human societies, where the relevant environment is significantly composed of cultural features. An essential dynamic process will be sketched, which has been enlightened by scientific findings: on the one hand, some biological aspects result indispensable for the development of culture and, on the other, some cultural developments, especially those involving teaching and learning, can back-react on the biological substrate itself. As it will be finally suggested, a deeper awareness of the mutual relations between nature and culture could contribute to reach that "more integral and integrative view" wished by the Pope for a "culture of care" based on love and intelligence.
Recent theological anthropology emphasizes a dynamic and integral understanding of the human bein... more Recent theological anthropology emphasizes a dynamic and integral understanding of the human being, which is also related to Karl Rahner's idea of active self-transcendence and to the imago Dei doctrine. The recent neuroscientific discovery of the “visual word form area” for reading, regarded in light of the concept of cultural neural reuse, will produce fresh implications for the interrelation of brain biology and human culture. The theological and neuroscientific parts are shown in their mutual connections thus articulating the notion that human beings shape and transcend themselves both at the biological and at the cultural level. This will have relevant implications for the timely topic of human uniqueness in science and theology, and in proposing a new research perspective in which theology may consider culture along with its biological import, but not necessarily in strictly evolutionary terms alone.
It postulates that the first engraved marks produced by hominins reflected preferences of the ear... more It postulates that the first engraved marks produced by hominins reflected preferences of the early visual cortex for simple geometric patterns and served aesthetic rather than symbolic purposes. In a recent article published in this journal the proponent of this theory provides a synthesis of neuroimaging studies that he understands as supporting his theory while criticising a recent neuroimaging study conducted by some of us, which explores the possible symbolic function of the earliest engraved marks. In this paper, we point to a broader range of literature backing up our interpretation, scrutinize theoretical claims put forward by Hodgson, and test them against published and yet unpublished empirical evidence. We conclude that these data support the hypothesis that the earliest engravings served a representational purpose and may have served a symbolic function.
Sustainability is a widely discussed issue nowadays. The “human factor” appears to be the key to ... more Sustainability is a widely discussed issue nowadays. The “human factor” appears to be the key to a suitable theory of sustainable development and, even more, to understanding the real scope of the issue at stake. We begin by highlighting that the issue of sustainability and the related ecological crisis ultimately stem from the fundamental view of the human–environment relationships. We tackle such a fundamental view from two apparently distant but converging perspectives: the one of Francis of Assisi (the patron saint of ecologists) and the one of contemporary advancements in evolutionary biology known as the “extended evolutionary theory” (EES). This will allow us to highlight how current life sciences ground a strong form of organism–environment complementarity—a core point for any allegedly comprehensive approach to sustainability and ecology. After that, we focus on recent developments in cultural evolution studies that see culture both as the driving force of (recent) human ev...
In this chapter, we will draw some connections between the theory of creditions and other recent ... more In this chapter, we will draw some connections between the theory of creditions and other recent neuroscientific and philosophical topics. In particular, we will focus on those developments that lend insights into the issue of self-identity and consciousness. We will not only show how the theory of creditions is interestingly connected with other scientific and philosophical research lines, but we will provide insights about future research perspectives that may profit from such connections. We will begin with a brief summary and review of key aspects of the theory of credition. Then, we will suggest how recent developments in the neuroscience of voluntary actions may tell something interesting about the issue of beliefs. Subsequently, also with the help of some philosophical insights, we will expand from the issue of “actions and beliefs” to that of “beliefs and self-identity”. Here, we will suggest that self-identity is strictly linked to a person’s system of beliefs, and that, in...
italianoL'articolo inizia considerando tre tendenze, distinte ma interconnesse, nel panorama ... more italianoL'articolo inizia considerando tre tendenze, distinte ma interconnesse, nel panorama antropologico interdisciplinare che caratterizza il XX secolo. La ricerca scientifica recente sul tema della "unicita umana" e affrontata per prima (Paragrafo 1). Dopodiche, l'attenzione e rivolta ad alcuni sviluppi dell'interesse rinnovato per la questione antropologica che la riflessione teologica ha manifestato durante il secolo scorso (Paragrafo 2). Quindi, il paragrafo 3 e dedicato agli sviluppi in seno alla disciplina nota come "scienze e teologia" a proposito dell'antropologia e della visione evolutiva del mondo. Infine, nel Paragrafo 4, viene presentata una prostpettiva di ricerca in linea con gli sviluppi menzionati, ma che e anche potenczialmente (e auspicabilmente) capace di aggiungere delle intuizioni nuove nella direzione di una antropologia interdisciplinare e integrale. EnglishThis paper begins by considering three different but interconnect...
EnglishIn this contribution we eould like to propose some possible connections between one of the... more EnglishIn this contribution we eould like to propose some possible connections between one of the neuroscientific approahes to the study of language - namely the so called embodied language approach - and some of the topics present in the Encyclical Laudato si' of Pope Francis, to which this thematic issue is dedicated. After some brief methodological considerations, aimed at clarifying the specific sense of the attempt that will be developed in what follows, we will first briefly present the main points of embodied language theory, mainly drawing its fundamental implications without entirely overlooking the empirical evidences that support this approach. Then, we will try to enucleate the consequences of the neuroscientific approach to language for a more general philosophical and anthropological level. Finally, these consequences will be put in relation with some of the topics and tenets characterizing the mentioned Encyclical. italianoIn questo contibuto vorremmo proporre alc...
espanolLa educacion es uno de los temas importantes del ultimo capitulo de la Laudato si' del... more espanolLa educacion es uno de los temas importantes del ultimo capitulo de la Laudato si' del papa Francisco. Dicaha enciclica, como es sabido, trata del cuidado de la casa comun y de la actual crisis ambiental (biologica), que es tambien una crisis socio-cultural (antropologica). El presente trabajo pretende ofrecer algunas reflexiones sobre la educacion - entendida como la actitud de transmitir informaciones, conductas y practicas mediante un compromiso explicito tanto por parte del "disidente" como del "docente" - desde el punto de vista de su relevancia ecologica y antropologica. La tesis que se quiere sostener es que la educacion (entendida en un sentido amplio que se aplica tanto a las instituciones educativas, como la escuela y la universidad, como a aquellas estrategias de transmision que estan tambien presentes en las sociedades arcaicas o tradicionales) es un componente esencial de la forma de vida humana que pasa inevitablemente a traves de una esp...
EnglishThis contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research li... more EnglishThis contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research lines currently at work at the Pontifical Antonianum University. The first section focuses on the figure of Francis of Assisi, his legacy and his freshness. The Saint of Assis has been considered, in the contemporary era, as the icon and model for the care of our common home. This image of Saint Francis stems from his own life, lives along the existential and religious axes of fraternity and minority. "Beauty", as recited by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, proposes itself as the reference for the virtuous way of staying at the common home. The second section focuses on an array of anthropological and cultural approaches that might be a stimulating background to deepen key themes of Laudato si'. Here, biblical, theological, philosophical and scientific topics intertwine, and here the Franciscan tradition is put in dialogue with other tenets of Cristian thinking and contemporary cul...
Time in Eternity represents a major contribution to the study of science and theology. It is the ... more Time in Eternity represents a major contribution to the study of science and theology. It is the result of the enduring effort in the field by one of its most prominent leading scholars . Robert J. Russell comes in fact from an important tradition: he is the Ian Barbour Professor of Theology and Science at Berkeley, and thus may be considered the heir of this innovative and influential theologian. For decades, he has made efforts not only to contribute to key topics and debates in the field of science and theology – like, notably, his struggle against creationists and Intelligent Design’s supporters (as also testified by his involvement in the conference celebrating the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory, held at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, 2009); he has also actively promoted the acknowledgement of science and theology as a legitimate academic discipline – a discipline, moreover, destined to play a crucial role in our “age of science” in which existential and theological questions are nonetheless felt as more and more urgent and engaging in many sectors of our society. Some of Russell’s achievements undoubtedly are the foundation of the Center for Theology and Natural Sciences (CTNS) at Berkeley, the organization of the Vatican Observatory conferences on the “scientific perspective on divine action” (in collaboration with the CTNS) and the edition (together with other leading scientists, philosophers, and theologians) of the proceedings of these events, his involvement in the Advisory Board of the Science, Theology and the Ontological Quest (STOQ) project patronized by the Pontifical Council for Culture, and his being founding coeditor of Theology and Science. Russell’s production has always been marked by the intention to address key theological problems in serious and competent dialogue with scientific disciplines, going into the details of current scientific theories and their interpretations, and reaching the heart of the challenges that the latter represent for a theistic approach to the natural world. Russell’s work is marked by the conviction that contemporary scientific achievements could, and should, be regarded as occasions for deepening theological reflection. On the other hand, theological reflection – especially in its being carried on in connection with the natural sciences – may also play, in Russell’s view, a heuristic role providing fresh insights for philosophy of science and of nature as well as for scientific research as such. This is, in essence, the core of his “creative mutual interaction” method.
EnglishThis contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research li... more EnglishThis contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research lines currently at work at the Pontifical Antonianum University. The first section focuses on the figure of Francis of Assisi, his legacy and his freshness. The Saint of Assis has been considered, in the contemporary era, as the icon and model for the care of our common home. This image of Saint Francis stems from his own life, lives along the existential and religious axes of fraternity and minority. "Beauty", as recited by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, proposes itself as the reference for the virtuous way of staying at the common home. The second section focuses on an array of anthropological and cultural approaches that might be a stimulating background to deepen key themes of Laudato si'. Here, biblical, theological, philosophical and scientific topics intertwine, and here the Franciscan tradition is put in dialogue with other tenets of Cristian thinking and contemporary cul...
The developments of Christian theology in the mid-twentieth century show an increasing attention ... more The developments of Christian theology in the mid-twentieth century show an increasing attention to human earthly vicissitudes. This led to the consideration of history and culture as key theological categories (section “The theological relevance of culture”). Culture is considered as the locus where human dynamism and active self-transcendence unroll in this world, thus becoming a key theological topic and acquiring central stage in the debate about human uniqueness. Recent scientific developments suggest that cultural dynamics affect the human biological (specifically neural) constitution even in ways not directly involving biological (mainly genetic) evolutionary mechanisms and processes. This will be shown through the case of the invention of literacy (the ability to read and write), interpreted in the light of the notion of cultural neural reuse (section “Literacy and ‘Cultural Neural Reuse’”). Therefore, those cultural dynamics central to the theological inquiry about human un...
How and when did hominins move from the numerical cognition that we share with the rest of the an... more How and when did hominins move from the numerical cognition that we share with the rest of the animal world to number symbols? Objects with sequential markings were used to store and retrieve numerical information since the beginning of the European Upper Palaeolithic (42 kyr). An increase in the number of markings and complexity of coding is observed towards the end of this period. The application of new analytical techniques to a 44–42 kyr-old-notched baboon fibula from Border Cave, South Africa, shows that notches were added to this bone at different times, suggesting that devices to store numerical information were in use before the Upper Palaeolithic. Analysis of a set of incisions on a 72–60 kyr-old-hyena femur from the Les Pradelles Mousterian site, France, indicates, by comparison to markings produced by modern subjects under similar constraints, that the incisions on the Les Pradelles bone may have been produced to record, in a single session, homologous units of numerical information. This finding supports the view that numerical notations were in use among archaic hominins. Based on these findings, a testable five-stage scenario is proposed to establish how prehistoric cultures have moved from number sense to the use of number symbols.This article is part of the themed issue 'The origins of numerical abilities'.
espanolLa Carta Enciclica Laudato si' insta a recordar la verdadera dimension del cuidado de ... more espanolLa Carta Enciclica Laudato si' insta a recordar la verdadera dimension del cuidado de la creacion, en beneficio de todos los seres humanos y todos los seres vivos, sin discriminacion. A la vista de los problemas actuales y urgentes a escala mundial, se hace aun mas imperativo que el hombre participe en la custodia de la naturaleza con amor y responsabilidad, renunciando a las pretensiones de dominio no controladas. En la primera parte de este trabajo, esperamos poner de relieve las razones por las que resulta esencial la contribucion de la empresa cientifica, vista sobre todo como una actividad cultural humana con el objetivo de conocer, de forma controlada y universalmente compartida, la naturaleza creada en virtud de su propia inteligibilidad. Por lo tanto, dada la especial importancia que la dimension ambiental asume en la enciclica, se dirige la atencion al campo de la ciencia biologica, que muestra que las investigaciones recientes se han centrado sobre los factores ambientales, reconocidos como fundamentales para la creacion, preservacion y evolucion de todos los seres vivos. Posteriormente, tendremos en cuanta las perspectivas de la investigacion reciente en el campo de los estudios cientificos sobre el hombre y la sociedad humana, donde el entorno de referencia esta fuertemente caracterizado por elementos culturales. Se tratara de esbozar las condiciones de un proceso dinamico esencial iluminado por los resultados cientificos: por un lado, algunos aspectos biologicos son esenciales para el desarrollo de la cultura y, por otro, algunos acontecimientos culturales, especialmente los relacionados con la ensenanza y aprendizaje, se pueden alimentar de nuevo en el mismo sustrato biologico. Una mayor conciencia de las relaciones mutuas entre la naturaleza y la cultura - se sugerira finalmente - ayudara a alcanzar esa "vision mas integral e integrante" defendida por el Papa para una "cultura de la atencion", basada en el amor y la inteligencia. italianoThe Encyclical Letter Laudato si' urges to recover the authentic care for the created world for the benefit of every human being as well as of every living creature without discrimination. In front of current pressing problems on the global scale, it becomes even more compelling that humans exert their stewardship over nature with love and responsibility, relinquishing claims to uncontrolled dominion. In the first part of the present work, we will point at the reasons why the contribution coming from the scientific enterprise results essential, as science is seen primarily as a human cultural activity aimed at obtain-ing, in a controlled and shareable way, knowledge of the created world by virtue of its own intelligibility. Then, given the particular relevance assumed by the ecological dimension in the Encyclical, we will turn the attention to the field of biological science, showing that recent perspectives of investigation are focused precisely on environmental factors, which are recognized as fundamental for the constitution, preservation, and evolution of every libing being. Successively, we will consider recent perspectives of research in the studies on man and human societies, where the relevant environment is significantly composed of cultural features. An essential dynamic process will be sketched, which has been enlightened by scientific findings: on the one hand, some biological aspects result indispensable for the development of culture and, on the other, some cultural developments, especially those involving teaching and learning, can back-react on the biological substrate itself. As it will be finally suggested, a deeper awareness of the mutual relations between nature and culture could contribute to reach that "more integral and integrative view" wished by the Pope for a "culture of care" based on love and intelligence.
Recent theological anthropology emphasizes a dynamic and integral understanding of the human bein... more Recent theological anthropology emphasizes a dynamic and integral understanding of the human being, which is also related to Karl Rahner's idea of active self-transcendence and to the imago Dei doctrine. The recent neuroscientific discovery of the “visual word form area” for reading, regarded in light of the concept of cultural neural reuse, will produce fresh implications for the interrelation of brain biology and human culture. The theological and neuroscientific parts are shown in their mutual connections thus articulating the notion that human beings shape and transcend themselves both at the biological and at the cultural level. This will have relevant implications for the timely topic of human uniqueness in science and theology, and in proposing a new research perspective in which theology may consider culture along with its biological import, but not necessarily in strictly evolutionary terms alone.
It postulates that the first engraved marks produced by hominins reflected preferences of the ear... more It postulates that the first engraved marks produced by hominins reflected preferences of the early visual cortex for simple geometric patterns and served aesthetic rather than symbolic purposes. In a recent article published in this journal the proponent of this theory provides a synthesis of neuroimaging studies that he understands as supporting his theory while criticising a recent neuroimaging study conducted by some of us, which explores the possible symbolic function of the earliest engraved marks. In this paper, we point to a broader range of literature backing up our interpretation, scrutinize theoretical claims put forward by Hodgson, and test them against published and yet unpublished empirical evidence. We conclude that these data support the hypothesis that the earliest engravings served a representational purpose and may have served a symbolic function.
Sustainability is a widely discussed issue nowadays. The “human factor” appears to be the key to ... more Sustainability is a widely discussed issue nowadays. The “human factor” appears to be the key to a suitable theory of sustainable development and, even more, to understanding the real scope of the issue at stake. We begin by highlighting that the issue of sustainability and the related ecological crisis ultimately stem from the fundamental view of the human–environment relationships. We tackle such a fundamental view from two apparently distant but converging perspectives: the one of Francis of Assisi (the patron saint of ecologists) and the one of contemporary advancements in evolutionary biology known as the “extended evolutionary theory” (EES). This will allow us to highlight how current life sciences ground a strong form of organism–environment complementarity—a core point for any allegedly comprehensive approach to sustainability and ecology. After that, we focus on recent developments in cultural evolution studies that see culture both as the driving force of (recent) human ev...
In this chapter, we will draw some connections between the theory of creditions and other recent ... more In this chapter, we will draw some connections between the theory of creditions and other recent neuroscientific and philosophical topics. In particular, we will focus on those developments that lend insights into the issue of self-identity and consciousness. We will not only show how the theory of creditions is interestingly connected with other scientific and philosophical research lines, but we will provide insights about future research perspectives that may profit from such connections. We will begin with a brief summary and review of key aspects of the theory of credition. Then, we will suggest how recent developments in the neuroscience of voluntary actions may tell something interesting about the issue of beliefs. Subsequently, also with the help of some philosophical insights, we will expand from the issue of “actions and beliefs” to that of “beliefs and self-identity”. Here, we will suggest that self-identity is strictly linked to a person’s system of beliefs, and that, in...
italianoL'articolo inizia considerando tre tendenze, distinte ma interconnesse, nel panorama ... more italianoL'articolo inizia considerando tre tendenze, distinte ma interconnesse, nel panorama antropologico interdisciplinare che caratterizza il XX secolo. La ricerca scientifica recente sul tema della "unicita umana" e affrontata per prima (Paragrafo 1). Dopodiche, l'attenzione e rivolta ad alcuni sviluppi dell'interesse rinnovato per la questione antropologica che la riflessione teologica ha manifestato durante il secolo scorso (Paragrafo 2). Quindi, il paragrafo 3 e dedicato agli sviluppi in seno alla disciplina nota come "scienze e teologia" a proposito dell'antropologia e della visione evolutiva del mondo. Infine, nel Paragrafo 4, viene presentata una prostpettiva di ricerca in linea con gli sviluppi menzionati, ma che e anche potenczialmente (e auspicabilmente) capace di aggiungere delle intuizioni nuove nella direzione di una antropologia interdisciplinare e integrale. EnglishThis paper begins by considering three different but interconnect...
EnglishIn this contribution we eould like to propose some possible connections between one of the... more EnglishIn this contribution we eould like to propose some possible connections between one of the neuroscientific approahes to the study of language - namely the so called embodied language approach - and some of the topics present in the Encyclical Laudato si' of Pope Francis, to which this thematic issue is dedicated. After some brief methodological considerations, aimed at clarifying the specific sense of the attempt that will be developed in what follows, we will first briefly present the main points of embodied language theory, mainly drawing its fundamental implications without entirely overlooking the empirical evidences that support this approach. Then, we will try to enucleate the consequences of the neuroscientific approach to language for a more general philosophical and anthropological level. Finally, these consequences will be put in relation with some of the topics and tenets characterizing the mentioned Encyclical. italianoIn questo contibuto vorremmo proporre alc...
espanolLa educacion es uno de los temas importantes del ultimo capitulo de la Laudato si' del... more espanolLa educacion es uno de los temas importantes del ultimo capitulo de la Laudato si' del papa Francisco. Dicaha enciclica, como es sabido, trata del cuidado de la casa comun y de la actual crisis ambiental (biologica), que es tambien una crisis socio-cultural (antropologica). El presente trabajo pretende ofrecer algunas reflexiones sobre la educacion - entendida como la actitud de transmitir informaciones, conductas y practicas mediante un compromiso explicito tanto por parte del "disidente" como del "docente" - desde el punto de vista de su relevancia ecologica y antropologica. La tesis que se quiere sostener es que la educacion (entendida en un sentido amplio que se aplica tanto a las instituciones educativas, como la escuela y la universidad, como a aquellas estrategias de transmision que estan tambien presentes en las sociedades arcaicas o tradicionales) es un componente esencial de la forma de vida humana que pasa inevitablemente a traves de una esp...
EnglishThis contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research li... more EnglishThis contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research lines currently at work at the Pontifical Antonianum University. The first section focuses on the figure of Francis of Assisi, his legacy and his freshness. The Saint of Assis has been considered, in the contemporary era, as the icon and model for the care of our common home. This image of Saint Francis stems from his own life, lives along the existential and religious axes of fraternity and minority. "Beauty", as recited by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, proposes itself as the reference for the virtuous way of staying at the common home. The second section focuses on an array of anthropological and cultural approaches that might be a stimulating background to deepen key themes of Laudato si'. Here, biblical, theological, philosophical and scientific topics intertwine, and here the Franciscan tradition is put in dialogue with other tenets of Cristian thinking and contemporary cul...
Time in Eternity represents a major contribution to the study of science and theology. It is the ... more Time in Eternity represents a major contribution to the study of science and theology. It is the result of the enduring effort in the field by one of its most prominent leading scholars . Robert J. Russell comes in fact from an important tradition: he is the Ian Barbour Professor of Theology and Science at Berkeley, and thus may be considered the heir of this innovative and influential theologian. For decades, he has made efforts not only to contribute to key topics and debates in the field of science and theology – like, notably, his struggle against creationists and Intelligent Design’s supporters (as also testified by his involvement in the conference celebrating the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory, held at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, 2009); he has also actively promoted the acknowledgement of science and theology as a legitimate academic discipline – a discipline, moreover, destined to play a crucial role in our “age of science” in which existential and theological questions are nonetheless felt as more and more urgent and engaging in many sectors of our society. Some of Russell’s achievements undoubtedly are the foundation of the Center for Theology and Natural Sciences (CTNS) at Berkeley, the organization of the Vatican Observatory conferences on the “scientific perspective on divine action” (in collaboration with the CTNS) and the edition (together with other leading scientists, philosophers, and theologians) of the proceedings of these events, his involvement in the Advisory Board of the Science, Theology and the Ontological Quest (STOQ) project patronized by the Pontifical Council for Culture, and his being founding coeditor of Theology and Science. Russell’s production has always been marked by the intention to address key theological problems in serious and competent dialogue with scientific disciplines, going into the details of current scientific theories and their interpretations, and reaching the heart of the challenges that the latter represent for a theistic approach to the natural world. Russell’s work is marked by the conviction that contemporary scientific achievements could, and should, be regarded as occasions for deepening theological reflection. On the other hand, theological reflection – especially in its being carried on in connection with the natural sciences – may also play, in Russell’s view, a heuristic role providing fresh insights for philosophy of science and of nature as well as for scientific research as such. This is, in essence, the core of his “creative mutual interaction” method.
EnglishThis contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research li... more EnglishThis contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research lines currently at work at the Pontifical Antonianum University. The first section focuses on the figure of Francis of Assisi, his legacy and his freshness. The Saint of Assis has been considered, in the contemporary era, as the icon and model for the care of our common home. This image of Saint Francis stems from his own life, lives along the existential and religious axes of fraternity and minority. "Beauty", as recited by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, proposes itself as the reference for the virtuous way of staying at the common home. The second section focuses on an array of anthropological and cultural approaches that might be a stimulating background to deepen key themes of Laudato si'. Here, biblical, theological, philosophical and scientific topics intertwine, and here the Franciscan tradition is put in dialogue with other tenets of Cristian thinking and contemporary cul...
The developments of Christian theology in the mid-twentieth century show an increasing attention ... more The developments of Christian theology in the mid-twentieth century show an increasing attention to human earthly vicissitudes. This led to the consideration of history and culture as key theological categories (section “The theological relevance of culture”). Culture is considered as the locus where human dynamism and active self-transcendence unroll in this world, thus becoming a key theological topic and acquiring central stage in the debate about human uniqueness. Recent scientific developments suggest that cultural dynamics affect the human biological (specifically neural) constitution even in ways not directly involving biological (mainly genetic) evolutionary mechanisms and processes. This will be shown through the case of the invention of literacy (the ability to read and write), interpreted in the light of the notion of cultural neural reuse (section “Literacy and ‘Cultural Neural Reuse’”). Therefore, those cultural dynamics central to the theological inquiry about human un...
This contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research lines cur... more This contribution aims at presenting the potential synergies among some of the research lines currently at work at the Pontifical Antonianum University. The first section focuses on the figure of Francis of Assisi, his legacy and his freshness. The Saint of Assisi has been considered, in the contemporary era, as the icon and model for the care of our common home. This image of Saint Francis stems from his own life, lived along the existential and religious axes of fraternity and minority. "Beauty ", as recited by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, proposes itself as the reference for the virtuous way of staying at the common home. The second section focuses on an array of anthropological and cultural approaches that might be a stimulating background to deepen key themes of Laudato si'. Here, biblical, theological , philosophical and scientific topics intertwine, and here the Franciscan tradition is put in dialogue with other tenets of Cristian thinking and contemporary culture. The third section focuses on jurisprudential perspectives. Here, the " cultural motives " sketched in the previous sections will converge on juridical developments potentially able to rule the human attitude towards the common home. The fundamental aim of this contribution is to propose a new, inclusive and integral model. Inclusive, i.e., not excluding any sector of the human life and any feature of creation. Integral, i.e., respectful of the polyhedral nature of creation and the symphonic character of its interconnected parts.
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