The Angelicum Thomistic Institute Project for Science and Religion Presents:

Miracles: Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Perspectives

1-2 March 2024

Angelicum – Aula Minor

Aims of the Conference:

Miracles are one of the core features of the Christian religion, as well as many other faiths. The most foundational miracles are those described throughout the biblical narrative. However, there have been continued reports of miraculous events even to this day, and some have become important in popular piety and the faith of individual believers. In light of the advances of modern science and our deeper understanding of the physical and biological world, many have claimed that such miraculous events, ancient or contemporary, are implausible if not strictly impossible. In this conference we will consider the miraculous with the tools of contemporary theology, philosophy, and science. Drawing on the insights of an international collection of specialists, we will address various foundational questions about God’s supernatural action in the world: What exactly is a miracle? In light of advances in science and philosophy, are miracles possible? If so, can modern science help identify and understand miraculous events? What role should miracles play in our personal Christian faith? Is it reasonable for scientists to believe in particular miracles, and if so, when? Does nature need special divine action in its operation and major evolutionary transitions?

Conference Schedule

Friday, March 1

09:00 | Justin Schembri, O.P. — Angelicum
“For I am the Lord, Your Healer” (Ex 15,26): Human Flourishing and the Enigma of Biblical Miracles 

10:00 | Coffee Break

10:30 | Ignacio Silva — Austral University, Argentina
Aquinas and the Metaphysics of Working a Miracle

11:30 | Coffee Break

12:00 | Simon Maria Kopf — International Theological Institute, Austria
Miracles, Powers, and Laws of Nature: Philosophical Explorations

13:00 | Lunch Break

15:00 | Daniel Bonevac — UT Austin, Texas
The Rationality of Believing in Miracles

16:00 | Coffee Break

16:30 | Breakout Sessions

Saturday, March 2

12:00 | Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P. — Angelicum
Does Nature need Miracles?

13:00 | Lunch Break

15:00 | Denis Alexander — Faraday Institute, Cambridge
Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles 

16:00 | Coffee Break

16:30 | Bernardo Motta — Portugal 
Stanley Jaki’s Study of the Miracle of the Sun

17:30 | Coffee Break

18:00 | Roberto Cauda – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Miracles, the Point of View of a Medical Researcher

Watch the conference videos here.

Live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook

Lingua: Inglese