»

 

Inaugural Meeting: 

Interface between Quantum Science, Philosophy, and Catholic Theology

Chapman University, in Orange County, California, 12-15 July 2026

 

 

Organizers: Prof. Vincenzo Tamma, Quantum Science and Technology Hub, University of Portsmouth, UK and Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., Director of the Magis Center

Local Organizers: Prof. Andrew N. Jordan and Prof. Daniele C. Struppa, Institute for Quantum Studies, Chapman University

 

The intent of this inaugural meeting is to build an interdisciplinary academic community of engaged and active intellectuals that do not normally interact.  The conference will feature talks on timely research topics on philosophy, Catholic theology and science, with this first meeting focused on quantum physics.

 

There will also be time scheduled for information discussion to form an international, interdisciplinary program on science, philosophy and theology, dedicated to collaborative projects and exchange of ideas within a community of intellectuals living their faith and exploring together the intersection between science, philosophy and theology in an international environment where an open interdisciplinary dialogue between science and faith can be fostered. This research programme will benefit the dialogue between science, philosophy and the overall Christian tradition with relevance and ecumenical reach also towards other religious traditions.

This event will provide a unique interdisciplinary environment where Catholic theologians, philosophers and quantum physicists open to ecumenical and interreligious dialogue will come together with their specific skills and expertise to tackle existing and new research areas where quantum mechanics interfaces with theology, areas which are still largely “terra incognita”. 

 


Toggle Section

Background

Since the beginning of 1900 the quantum revolution brought a new understanding of the basic structure of the natural world, has inspired philosophical and theological reflections and is now driving quantum technologies. Paraphrasing St. Augustine, the “book of nature” contains a “quantum chapter” on the nature of reality which can be of inspiration towards a deeper understanding of the ‘book of revelation’. Quantum scientists can be enriched in their studies by the engagement with philosophers and theologians and vice versa. Examples of still unresolved ‘quantum puzzles’ with philosophical and theological implications are the measurement problem in quantum mechanics, quantum indeterminism and quantum interference and correlation phenomena beyond the ‘classical’ Young double-slit experiment. Such interdisciplinary research has started to bring interest among Christian theologians (see for example the NIODA project) although only a limited number of Catholic theologians have been engaging with it generally and with a limited collaboration with quantum physicists. 

Key-Note Speakers

Fr. Thomas Davenport, O.P.

Fernando Sols, Univ. of Madrid

Javier Sanchez Canizares, Science, Reason and Faith Group,University of Navarra

Fr Robert Verril, O.P. 

Mark Spencer, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota 

Paolo Facchi , Univ. of Bari 

Luis Sanchez-Soto, University of Madrid (Europe)

Prof. Tanzella Nitti ,Director of the Science and Faith DISF, Rome

Fr. Alex Yeung, LC, Director of Science and Faith Institute (Univ. Regina Apostolorum) and Maritain Center (Univ. of Notre Dame)

Fr. Matthieu Raffray  Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) 

Stephen M. Barr,President of the Catholic Society of Scientists 

William Simpson, Durham University

Br. Guy Consolmagno, Vatican Observatory 

Fr. Ambrose Little, O.P., Director of the Thomistic Institute, DC