Next Thursday, 29 April 2021, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth will host a virtual conference on ‘The Future of Christian Metaphysics’.
What might the future of Christian thinking represent? If we start from today, perhaps now, more than ever before, it is clear that Christian thought faces unprecedented challenges. These range from a denial of metaphysics, to previously unforeseen ethico-moral questions arising from contemporary science and ever-advancing technologies, to a full-blown economizing of the political, to name just some of the most obvious. Coupled with these developments is that, amongst Christian thinkers, there is no real consensus on the meaning, definition and end of Christian thinking while the future of Christian thinking looks hazy, unclear and tenuous.
The theme of this timely conference seeks to address these unprecedented challenges while also looking into an unforeseen future. In order to do this, many of the foremost thinkers engaged with Christian thought and beyond have been invited to speak on these issues (see full list below). These thinkers are representative of many different schools, approaches and styles of Christian thought, across confessional divides. The vast array of thinkers invited is itself a testimony of the polyphonic vitality of Christian thought today and, together, the ever-pressing question of the future of Christian thinking will be pondered from within an intellectually polyphonic and ecumenical conversation and perspective.
The conference will open with introductory remarks by Dr Philip John Paul Gonzales of Saint Patrick’s College who will address the subject of “Plurivocity and the Voicing of the Future of Christian Metaphysics.” Dr Jennifer Newsome Martin of the University of Notre Dame will speak on “The Christian Future of Metaphysics: The Carnal Turn in Catholic Theology.” The response will be delivered by Dr Caitlin Smith Gilson of the University of Holy Cross. Dr John Betz of the University of Notre Dame will speak on “Christ as the Concrete Analogia Entis: The Future of Christian Thought” with a response by Professor D. C. Schindler of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute. Dr Lorella Congiunti of the Pontificia Università Urbaniana will speak on “The Future of Thomistic Thought” with a response by Dr Gaven Kerr of Saint Patrick’s College. Professor Tim Pawl of the University of Saint Thomas will speak on “Analytic Theology and Christian Metaphysics” with a response by Dr Andrew Meszaros of Saint Patrick’s College.
To register, click here.
ENDS
