Lecture on April 23, 2024, at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
2024-04-23 16:00 UTC
There will be a Public Lecture at 4-5 pm on Tuesday, April 23, at the Dupré Science Pavilion, E-103, on the campus of St. Vincent College. Dr. Steve Gravelle and Dr. Lucas Briola will speak with the title “The Climate Crisis: A Scientist and a Theologian Respond to Laudate Deum.”
This is a part of the F.A.S.T Seminar Series (faith and science talks) of the St. Vincent Chapter of SCS, which takes place on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Public Lecture and Reception on April 18 in Newark, DE
2024-04-18 19:00 (America/New_York)
There will be a lecture on Thursday, April 18, at 7:00pmt St. Thomas More Oratory in Newark, DE. (45 Lovett Ave, Newark, DE 19711) The lecture on Artificial Intelligence will be given by Joseph M. Vukov, Assoc. Prof. of Philosophy at Loyola University in Chicago and Assoc. Director of The Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage.
For more information go to https://www.udcatholic.org/events or contact Fr. Tim McIntire tmcintire@udcatholic.org This event is co-sponsored by the Delaware Chapter of the SCS.

Lecture on April 18, 2024, at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.
2024-04-18 15:30 UTC
There will be a Lecture at 3:30pm on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in the Beck Rooms of Walsh Hall at Seton Hall University (400 S Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079). The title of the talk is “Galileo, Science, and Scripture” and the speaker is Dr. Kenneth J. Howell. Refreshments will be served. RSVP: https://events.shu.edu/event/31585-galileo-science-scripture
This event is sponsored by the Seton Hall University Chapter of SCS and co-sponsored by SHU’s Department of Physics, the Department and Program in Catholic Studies, the Center for Catholic Studies, the Department of the Core Curriculum, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, and Campus Ministry.
Abstract: The encounter of Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) with the Roman Catholic hierarchy has long been viewed through the lens of warfare. However, a dispassionate review of the evidence, both of events and of texts, suggests a very different conclusion. Galileo was one of the greatest luminaries of the Scientific Revolution and a foundational figure of modern physics, but he also professed his adherence to the Catholic faith in no uncertain terms. How then shall we understand the conflict between the Church and Galileo’s science? In three parts, Dr. Howell will paint an historical picture of astronomy of this period and how the appearance of Copernican cosmology provoked a controversy about the ultimate picture of the universe. After a review of the state of astronomy at the time of Galileo, Dr. Howell will sketch Galileo’s life and work on astronomy. He will then offer an interpretation of his famous Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina which reveals enduring issues in the interaction of the empirical sciences and Christian revelation.
Speaker: After receiving a Ph.D. in the History of Science from Lancaster University (UK), Kenneth J. Howell has studied the Scientific Revolution for over twenty years. He is the author of numerous articles and a volume entitled God’s Two Books: Copernican Cosmology and Biblical Interpretation in Early Modern Science. Dr. Howell also holds an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Indiana University.

Special SCS Zoom Lecture/Discussion/Q&A with Robert C. Berwick on April 17, at 8pm EDT.
2024-04-17 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
There will be a special SCS Zoom Lecture on Wednesday, April 17, at 8:00pm EDT. The title of the talk is “Why Only Us?” and the speaker is Prof. Robert C. Berwick of MIT, the co-author (with Noam Chomsky) of a ground-breaking book on the origin of human language, whose full title was “Why Only Us?: Language and Evolution” (MIT Press, 2016) The book argued that only human beings have the capacity to process language with hierarchical syntax, a pre-requisite for formulating and expressing complex thoughts, and that this capacity arose very suddenly in evolutionary history.
The 40 minute talk will be followed by a moderated discussion and Q&A with the Zoom audience.
Those interested in gaining some familiarity with the ideas of Berwick and Chomsky in advance of the Zoom event are encouraged to watch the talk that Prof. Berwick gave at the inaugural conference of SCS in 2017 HERE, or to read the 2017 review of “Why Only Us?” written by Stephen M. Barr, which appeared in the journal First Things. The review gave a concise summary of the ideas in the book and their relevance to certain important theological issues concerning human nature and human origins. The review can be found HERE.
The Zoom link for the event: https://franciscan-edu.zoom.us/j/89119626531?pwd=[REDACTED]
The event is free and no registration is required. Questions can be addressed to Stephen M. Barr at smpbarr@gmail.com

Lecture on April 9, 2024, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
2024-04-09 18:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis)
There will be a Lecture on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30pm in Room 3-410, Lilly Hall of Life Sciences on the campus of Purdue University (915 Mitch Daniels Blvd, West Lafayette, IN 47907).
The lecture, entitled “Philosophy as an Antidote to Scientism,” will be given by Prof. James McClure of the Purdue Department of Mathematics.
The lecture is part of the Spring 2024 Christianity and Science Series and is co-sponsored by the Purdue Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists and the Purdue chapters of the American Scientific Affiliation and Intervarsity Fellowship.
Abstract of talk:
Scientism is the belief that science is the only truth. It involves a number of related beliefs that are antithetical to Christianity: that human beings are just collections of atoms organized by the evolutionary process; that morality is just a product of evolution and has no other foundation; and that our conscious experience is an illusion, and the only true knowledge of the world is given by science. Especially in settings where scientism is rampant it can be helpful to Christian believers to realize that, in fact, these are not scientific statements, and that they cannot be proved, or even tested, by scientific methods. Philosophy gives us tools for thinking about statements like these in a systematic way, taking all the evidence into account. In particular, it can help us think carefully about situations where Christian teaching conflicts, or seems to conflict, with scientific statements. It is a powerful antidote against scientism that illuminates its logical inadequacies and exposes its overreach. Prof. McClure specializes in algebraic topology and is a fellow of the American Mathematical Society. He has a lifelong interest in Philosophy and is in the Purdue Book of Great Teachers.

Lecture on March 26, 2024, at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
2024-03-26 16:00 UTC
There will be a Public Lecture at 4pm on Tuesday, March 26, at the Dupré Science Pavilion, E-103, on the campus of St. Vincent College. Dr. Mary Regina Boland will speak on Holy “Multiples: Stories of Fifteen Twin/Triplet Saints and the Science Behind Twinning, Gender and Survival.” Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. For Information and Readings contact Dr. Mary Regina Boland mary.boland@stvincent.edu
This is a part of the F.A.S.T Seminar Series (faith and science talks) of the St. Vincent Chapter of SCS, which takes place on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Lecture and Panel Discussion on March 15, 2024, in Toronto, ON, CA.
2024-03-15 18:00 UTC
There will be a Panel Event entitled “Faith and Science Across the Frontiers” at 5:00pm to 6:30pm on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Charbonnel Lounge, 81 St. Mary Street, Toronto ON, M5S1J4. The Keynote Speaker will be Prof. Jonathan Lunine, who is David C. Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences and Chair of the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University.
This event is co-sponsored by the Toronto Chapter of SCS and the St. Mike’s Campus Ministry (of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto).
You can register by emailing smc.campusmnistry@utoronto.ca

Symposium on AI (of COLLIS Institute, SCS, and Thomistic Institute) at Cornell University on March 7-8, 2024.
2024-03-07 17:00 - 2024-03-08 18:00 UTC
COLLIS Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture, the Society of Catholic Scientists, and the Thomistic Institute are excited to announce, “Words, Images, Reality: A Symposium on Living with Artificial Intelligence,” March 7-8. The Symposium will include events on computer science, law, and theology, as well as a pizza party for Catholics who Code! For more information visit collisinstitute.org/ai-symposium
Events:
March 7, 5:00pm-6:00pm: “Artificial Intelligence: whose image is this?”, Michael Totaro (Computer Science, Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette).
March 7, 6:30pm-7:30pm: Catholics Who Code Pizza Party.
March 8, 1:00pm-2:00pm: “The Regulation of Simulation in an Era of Generative AI”, Frank Pasquale (Cornell Tech).
March 8, 4:30pm-6:00pm: “Beyond Words: What CHATGPT Can’t Say”, Jane Sloane Peters (Theology, Mt. St. Vincent University)

Lecture on March 6, 2024, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
2024-03-06 17:30 UTC
There will be a public lecture on Wednesday, March 6, at 5:30pm at St Thomas Aquinas Church near Purdue University (535 W State Street, West Lafayette). The title of the lecture will be “Father Lemaître: The Catholic priest who discovered the Big Bang.” The speaker will be Prof. Jonathan Lunine of Cornell University.
There will be a reception downstairs before the lecture, at 4:30pm.
The event is hosted by the Purdue Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists, and co-sponsored by the Thomas Aquinas Foundation, Purdue’s Religious Studies Program, and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.
For more information, contact mcclurej@purdue.edu

Lecture (in-person and Zoom) and Reception on November 30 in Edmonton, AB.
2023-11-30 16:00 (America/Edmonton)
The St. Joseph’s College Lecture, co-sponsored by the Edmonton Chapter of SCS will be held at 4:00pm local time (CT+ ) on Thursday, Nov 30, in St. Joseph’s College Boardroom on the campus of the University of Alberta. The lecture, entitled “Toward an Integrative Account of the Human Person”, will be given by Dr. Sofia Carozza. Dr. Carozza is a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School. She uses computational modelling to study the role of the early environment in the development of the human brain.
A reception will follow the lecture.
To register to attend by Zoom go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtf-Chpz0rHNLk8_GNKv9d0KQrv35LYkTy#/registration
Abstract of Lecture:
Discourse at the intersection of neuroscience and religion often stalls at questions about their compatibility, likely due to the prevalence of the (false) conflict model of science and faith. However, moving beyond compatibility to integration opens an enriching expanse of inquiry. Specifically, discoveries in the neural and cognitive sciences are increasingly characterizing the brain as a situated, relational, and dynamic organ. These data, which accord exceptionally well with a Christian theological anthropology, offer us the possibility of deepening our self-understanding as persons and improving our practical and pastoral decision-making.

Lecture and Reception on Nov 23 in Vancouver, BC.
2023-11-23 12:00 (Asia/Vientiane)
There will be a lecture at 12:00pm on Thursday, Nov 23, at Corpus Christi-St. Mark’s College, 5935 Iona Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 2L4, Canada. The title of the talk is “Astrobiology and implications for Christian thought”. The speaker, Dr. Andrew Davison, works at the intersection of theology, science and philosophy. He is the author of the recently released book Astrobiology and Christian Doctrine: Exploring the Implications of Life in the Universe (Cambridge University Press, 2023).
This event is sponsored by the Vancouver Chapter of SCS and presented in collaboration with the Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation (CSCA), the UBC Graduate & Faculty Christian Forum (GFCF), and the Corpus Christi-St. Mark’s Centre for Christian Engagement.
All are welcome

Lecture, Breakfast Reception, and Gold Mass on Nov 20 in Washington, DC.
2023-11-20 08:30 (America/Halifax)
There will be a Gold Mass at 8:30am on Monday, November 20, in St. Vincent de Paul Chapel on the campus of Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (3502 John McCormack Road NE, Washington DC 20017). It will be followed by a breakfast reception and talk. The talk on “The Science and Ethics of Synthetic Embryos” will be given by Prof. Maureen I. Condic, University of Utah.

Gold Mass, Reception, Dinner, and Lecture on Nov 19 in Madison, WI.
2023-11-19 17:30 (America/New_York)
There will be a Gold Mass at 3:00pm on Sunday, Nov 19, in Blessed Sacrament Church in Madison Wisconsin (2116 Hollister Ave., Madison, WI). Afterwards, in the Friary, there will be a social at 4:00pm, an early dinner at 4:30pm, and finally a lecture at 5:30pm. The lecture, entitled “The Human Simulacrum – The Good, Bad, and Ugly of AI”, will be given by Prof. Tim Carone of the Univ. of Wisconsin – Whitewater.
Abstract of the lecture: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a rich simulation of human cognition. This talk examines the implications of these technologies on society, faith, and our ethical compass. What is good about AI? AI showcases human innovation and creativity. Mirroring human thought, these systems illuminate the intricacies of our creation, drawing parallels with divine artistry. What is bad about AI? The unchecked advance of AI risks pushing society towards a latent totalitarianism. Its omnipresence and surveillance potentials may encroach upon our cherished freedoms, challenging our moral convictions. What is the Ugly? The spread of AI threatens societal bifurcation. It may amplify biases and, worryingly, amplify the existing rise in humanist atheist policies, overshadowing faith’s guiding light. This talk delves into AI’s interplay with society and spirituality, underscoring the distinction between simulating cognition and embodying divine consciousness and faith. We must remember, while AI can simulate the wonders of human cognition, the divine spark of consciousness, morality, and faith can never be replicated by lines of code.

Gold Mass, Reception and Lecture on Nov 15 at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL
2023-11-15 19:15 UTC
Benedictine University will host its 5th annual Gold Mass at 6:00pm on Wednesday, November 15, in the St. Benedict Chapel on the 4th floor of Kindlon Hall (5700 College Road, Lisle, Illinois). The celebrant is Fr. Ivan Carrillo-Paris, ICC. After the Mass there will be refreshments provided. At 7:15pm Benedictine’s very own Dr. Tim Marin will present the talk “Faith and Science: the DNA of Benedictine University,” discussing the legacy of faith and science begun by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey in 1887 and continued to the present day. All are welcome!

Public Lecture on Nov 15 in Joliet, IL
2023-11-15 19:00 (America/Chicago)
A Gold Lecture will be offered at 7:00pm on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church (706 N. Broadway, Joliet, IL). The title is, “Miracles and Science: Friends or Foes?” and will be offered by Fr. Jerome Kish. Fr. Kish is a priest of the Joliet Diocese. He received his License in Sacred Theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake and his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a member of the Society of Catholic Scientists.
If you have questions you may contact Fr. Kish at frkish@outlook.com

Panel Discussion and Q&A on November 12 at University of Notre Dame
2023-11-12 16:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
There will be a Panel Discussion entitled “Ask Me Anything on Faith and Science” on Sunday, Nov 12, at 4:30pm to 5:30pm in Room 105 Jordan Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. The panelists will be Fr. Terry Ehrman, Dr. Stephen Barr, Heather Foucult-Camm, and Dean Santiago Schnell and will field questions from attendees,
This event is organized by the Notre Dame Chapter of SCS and is the kickoff for “Faith and Science Week”.

Lecture, Gold Mass, and Reception on Nov 12 in Cambridge, MA.
2023-11-12 10:30 (America/Halifax)
There will be a catered reception and Lecture and catered at 10:30am on Sunday, Nov 12, 2023, on the campus of MIT in the MIT building W11 main dining room. The lecture wiil be given by Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, OP, PhD on the topic of “The ethics and morality of human gene editing”
Preceding the reception and lecture is a Gold Mass at 9:30am in the MIT Chapel. (48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139).
This event is sponsored by the MIT Tech Catholic Community and the Harvard-MIT Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists. More information will be posted as it becomes available about various details including how to RSVP.

Lecture, Gold Mass, and Reception on Nov 9 at Marian University in Indianapolis, IN.
2023-11-09 16:30 (America/Halifax)
There will be a Gold Mass at 5:30 PM on Thursday, Nov 9, in St. Joseph’s Chapel in Caito-Wagner Hal on the campus of Marian University in Indianapolis, IN. (3200 Cold Spring Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46222.) There will be a Reception after the Mass.
Preceding the Gold Mass there will be a Public Lecture at 4:30 PM in the E.S. Witchger School of Engineering Collaboritorium. The lecture, entitled “Tissue Engineering, Organ Transplantation, and the Church” will be given by Prof. Chris Raub of Catholic University, President of the DC/VA/MD Chapter of SCS.
Please RSVP HERE, where also more information can be found about the event.

Moderated Discussion on Faith and Science on October 30 at University of Notre Dame
2023-10-30 19:30 (America/New_York)
The Notre Dame Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists will have a moderated discussion on Monday, October 30, at 7:30pm in Room 300 of Geddes Hall on the campus of University of Notre Dame. The question discussed will be “What is the Proper Relationship between Faith and Science?” The discussion will be based on Pope St. John Paul II’s famous letter to the Director of the Vatican Observatory. which you can read here: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1988/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_19880601_padre-coyne.html

The moderator will be Heather Foucault-Camm, Program Director of the McGrath Science and Religion Initiative.

Note: someone will be in Geddes to let you into the third floor of Geddes (which will be locked), so please try not to be late! There will be hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies.

Public Lecture and Reception on September 29, 2023, in Gainesville, FL.
2023-09-29 18:00 (America/New_York)
There will be a Public Lecture at 6:00pm on Friday, September 29, 2023, in Gainesville, FL, at Holy Faith Catholic Church in the Fr. John Phillips Parish Life Center (747 NW43rd St, Gainesville, FL 32607). The title of the lecture is “The Catholic Faith and Modern Science: Understanding and Correcting Models of Conflict” and will be given by Dr. Christopher Baglow of the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Baglow is Director of the Science & Religion Initiative of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame. There will be refreshments after the lecture.
For more information, email Paul Gulig gulig@ufl.edu

Public Lecture on September 28 in Vancouver, BC.
2023-09-28 17:30 (America/Vancouver)
There will be a Public Lecture at 5:30pm on Thursday, Sept 28, 2023, in Vancouver, BC, at the University Chapel Scriptorium (lower level) (5375 University Blvd Vancouver, BC V6T 1K3). Dr. Ross Hastings will speak on “Chemical Evolution and Divine Providence.”

Learn about the origins and evolution of the basic molecules that make up all life on Earth (e.g., RNA, proteins, and lipids) and contemplate how a Christian might view these scientific findings, and other revelations about the natural world, in the light of their faith in a loving Creator.

Format: 30 minute talk with Q&A over free pizza and light refreshments with socializing to follow

RSVP here:
https://www.catholicscientistsvan.org/

Lecture and Dinner in Los Alamos, NM, on April 28.
2023-04-28 19:00 UTC
On Friday, April 28, at 7:00pm there will be a public lecture by Prof. Stephen M. Barr at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Los Alamos, NM (3700 Canyon Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544). The title of the lecture is “Is the Universe Fine Tuned for Life?”
Before the lecture there will be a Mass at 5:30pm and a dinner at 6:15pm in the parish hall (Karen McLaughlin Parish Hall).
All these events are open to the public and require no registration. They are funded by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

Lecture in Hillsdale, MI, on April 24, 2023.
2023-04-24 20:00 UTC
On Monday, April 24, at 8:00pm, there will be a lecture by Stephen M. Barr at Hillsdale College in Plaster Auditorium (within Searle Center, 315 N West Street Hillsdale MI 49242) The title of the lecture is “Science and Religion: the Myth of Conflict.” More information can be found HERE.
This event is supported by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

Lecture in Madison, WI, on April 22, 2023.
2023-04-22 10:30 - 22:30 UTC
There will be a lecture at 10:30am on Saturday, April 22, in the Friary of Blessed Sacrament Church, Rowley Avenue in Madison, WI. The speaker is Stephen M. Barr whose lecture is entitled “Is the Human Mind Reducible to Physics?”
Before the lecture there will be a welcome and coffee at 10:00am and afterwards there will be a luncheon at 11:30am.
Attendance at these events requires prior registration which can be done HERE. If you are unable to use the form or prefer not to use it, please send your name, the names of the people in your group, and the total number in your group, and your best contact information to scsmadisonwisconsin@gmail.com.
These events are sponsored by the Wisconsin Chapter of SCS and supported by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

Lecture in Rochester, NY, on April 20, 2023.
2023-04-20 19:15 UTC
There will be a lecture at 7:15pm on Thursday, April 20, at the University of Rochester River Campus, Dewey Hall, Room 1101 (the main auditorium).
This is the Spring 2023 SCS Rochester Lecture.
The title is “Gene Therapy: Scientific Principles and Ethical Considerations.” The speakers are Prof. David Dean and Prof. Jessica Shand of University of Rochester. The presentation can also be viewed by zoom. For complete information go to https://scsrochester.mullennet.com/

Lecture and Gold Mass in Nashville, TN, on April 18, 2023.
2023-04-18 19:00 UTC
There will be a lecture at 7:00pm on Tuesday, April 18, in Nashville, TN, by Prof. Maureen Condic. The title of the lecture is “When Does Human Life Begin? When Does it End?” The lecture will be in the Fleming Center of the Cathedral of the Incarnation (2015 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203). Refreshments will be provided. Prof. Condic is Assoc. Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Utah and a member of the Executive Board of SCS.
Before the lecture, at 5:30pm, there will a Gold Mass at the Cathedral.
This event is made possible by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

Lecture in Newark, DE, on March 23, 2023.
2023-03-23 19:00 UTC
There will be a lecture at 7:00pm on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Newark, DE, by Prof Cory Hayes . The title of his talk is “Modern Science, the Catholic Church and the Galileo Affair.” The talk will be at St. Thomas More Oratory (45 Lovett Avenue, Newark, DE 19711) and will be followed by a reception in the hall downstairs.
This event is sponsored by the Delaware Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists and supported by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

Lunch Talk on Science & Faith at University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, March 4.
2023-03-04 12:00 UTC
On Saturday, March 4, after the 11:30am Mass in the Crypt of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, there will be a lunch talk on science and faith in the coffee house of Geddes Hall (Room 101). The talk will be given by Prof. Chris Baglow of Notre Dame, who is Director of the Science and Religion Initiative of the McGrath Institute for Church Life. Porf. Baglow is also a Board member of SCS and on its Theological Advisory Committee.

Lecture, Gold Mass and Lunch in Alhambra, CA, on March 4.
2023-03-04 11:00 UTC
There will be a Gold Mass at 11:00am on Saturday, March 4, at St. Therese Catholic Church (1100 E Alhambra Rd, Alhambra, CA 91801). The mass will be celebrated by Rev. Brig. Gen. Richard Erikson.
After the Mass there will be lunch and a talk by Michael B. Dennin, Professor of Physics and Vice-Provost at UC Irvine. The title of his lecture is “Science and Faith: Reimaging the Conversation.”
Registration required. Complete information about the event and registration HERE.
This event is partially supported by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

Lecture, Gold Mass and Luncheon in Albuquerque, NM, on Jan 28.
2023-01-28 10:00 UTC
After the Gold Mass on Friday, Jan 28, there will be a public lecture by Prof. Maureen L. Condic, board member of SCS, entitled “Human Life and Death are Defined by Organization.”
The Gold Mass is at 10:00am John XXII Catholic Community in Albuquerque, NM. (4831 Tramway Ridge Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111). Fr. Tai Pham, Ph.D. engineering, pastor, will be the celebrant and homilist.
After the talk there is a luncheon. RSVP to scs.nmchapter@gmail.com
This event is partially supported by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
