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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 exchange of ideas and collaborative projects involving young researchers within a community of intellectuals living their faith in an international environment where an open interdisciplinary dialogue between science and faith can be fostered. This will also facilitate international collaborations between academic institutions, centers, societies and associations across different science, philosophy and theology areas in the context of interdisciplinary research, dissemination, and networking depending on their specific missions.
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."
 

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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

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


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


Br. Guy Consolmagno, Vatican Observatory


Fr. Thomas Davenport, O.P., Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)


Paolo Facchi, Univ. of Bari


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


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


Luis Sanchez-Soto, University of Madrid


William Simpson, Durham University


Fernando Sols, Univ. of Madrid


Mark Spencer, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota


Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti, Founder of the DISF Center, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross


Fr. Robert Verril, O.P., Blackfriars Priory & Studium


Fr. Alex Yeung, LC, Director of Science and Faith Institute, Pontifical Univ. Regina Apostolorum