Parliament of Worlds Religion 1993 Chicago IL

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 137

Science Symposium: "Cosmic Beginnings, Human Ends"
ies in physics and biochemistry. In particular we shall see how some of the ideas may serve as a guide to human behavior. Hsing-Tsung Huang-Ph.D., Chemistry, Oxford University; former Program Director, Alternative Biological Resources, National Science Foundation; Deputy Director, The Needham Research Institute, Cambridge, UK, where he is collaborating with Joseph Needham on the completion of his monumental work, Science and Civilization in China.
11:00 AM-12:00 PM Salon III
"The Birth and Death of Elementary Particles" Ennackel Chandy George Sudarshan
In the subatomic domain, phenomena are dominated by particles like photons or hadrons which have only a transitory existence. Light is emitted and absorbed. So a new form of dynamics is necessary to describe these processes which make the particles become merely excitations of underlying fields or collections of fields. This yields a new perspective on existence and reality, on change and permanence.
Ennackel Chandy George Sudarshan-Ph.D., Physics, University of Rochester; Professor of Physics, Center for Particle Theory, University of Texas; Fellow of the American Physical Society, Indian National Science Academy, and the International Academy of the Philosophy of Sciences; honorary doctorates from six universities; research in theoretical particle physics, quantum field theory, quantum optics, and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics.
2:00 PM-3:30 PM Parlor F
"Cosmic Beginnings"
Edward William Kolb
The presentation will review the most recent cosmological observations, such as the nature of the background radiation believed to be a remnant of the Big Bang, and the discovery of the largest structures in the Universe. We will then consider how potential discoveries could unlock the secrets of the origin of matter and galaxies, and finally, discuss the most fundamental issue of modern cosmology: why is there something rather than nothing; that is, why is there a Universe at all?
Edward William Kolb-Ph.D., Physics, University of Texas; Head, NASA/Fermilab Astrophysics Group; Professor, Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago; wrote the standard graduate textbook on particle physics and cosmology, and teaches a popular undergraduate course on 'Cosmology for Poets'; research on particle physics applied to the study of the very early universe.
4:00 PM-5:30 PM Parlor F
"Religious Responses to the Big Bang"
Ian G. Barbour
The presentation will first consider three responses to Big Bang cosmology that seem dubious, the claims that there is 1) agreement, 2) conflict, or 3) total independence in comparing Western religious ideas of creation with recent scientific theories of cosmology. Then we examine some philosophical implications of cosmology concerning design, chance, and necessity. Finally, we will look at theological implications of cosmology: the intelligibility and contingency of the cosmos; "creation out of nothing" versus "continuing creation"; and the significance of humanity.
lan G. Barbour-Ph.D., Physics, University of Chicago; B.D., Theology, Yale University; Professor of Religion and Professor of Science, Technology and Society, Carleton College; Guggenheim Fellow; Gifford Lecturer, Aberdeen, Scotland, 1989-1991, leading to the twovolume publication of Religion in an Age of Science, and Ethics in an Age of Technology, the latest in a series of seminal articles and books including Issues in Science and Religion (1966) and Myths, Models, and Paradigms (1974).
136 THE PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS, CHICAGO, 1993 Jain Education International 2010_03
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
10:00-12:00 PM Salon III
"The Emerging Convergences in Religious Consciousness and their Confrontation with International Technology"
Rustum Roy; Panelists include: Dr. Frederick Franck; Prof. Raimundo Panikkar
Two great convergences have occurred with different momenta during this last century, beginning with the emergence of the world's most powerful religion-international technology-complete with theology, ritual, mystery, and praxis. A much slower and paradoxical convergence is taking place among the world's religions. On the one hand there is the abandoning (often reluctant and slow) of monism and acceptance of a radical pluralist stance towards other religions. On the other-reacting in part to the effects of the forces of globalized technology-there is a grasping for one's historical, religious, ethnic, genetic (?) roots. The "Clash of the Titans" is in the making. [Lecture followed by panel discussion. Respondents: John Dobson, Roy Varghese, Kenneth Vaux, and Alice Dan.]
Rustum Roy-Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University; Evan Pugh
Professor of The Solid State, Pennsylvania State University; former Director of the University's Materials Research Laboratory and founder of its Science, Technology, and Society Program, which led to the establishment of the flourishing National Association for Science, Technology, and Society; born in India; simultaneously a 33rd generation Brahmin and 3rd generation Christian; life-long interest in the synthesis of the disciplines of science and religion; gave Hibbert Lectures in London in 1979, published as Experimenting with Truth.
2:00 PM-3:30 PM Parlor F
"Crucial Conversations:
Theology, Feminism, and Science"
Mary Hunt
The conversation between religion and science provides useful insights for both fields. But the specific concerns of feminists in each field are just beginning to be given priority attention. This presentation, with emphasis on the theological concerns from an ecofeminist perspective, will include an outline of the issues, an invitation to deepen the dialogue, and a suggestion for how to prevent the problems of sexism which have plagued both fields in the past. Mary Hunt Ph.D., Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California; Co-Director, Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER); theologian and ethicist; member of the Board, National Association for Science, Technology, and Society (NASTS) where she represents the religious community; especially interested in how contemporary feminist theory and theology intersect with various scientific views; editor, From Woman Pain to Woman Vision: Writings in Feminist Theology; author, Fierce Tenderness: A Feminist Theology of Friendship.
4:00 PM-5:30 PM Parlor F
"Science at the Crossroads"
George Bugliarello
After 500 years of scientific and technological progress, a growing dichotomy between rationality and spirituality, between knowledge and emotion, between material progress and survival of many cultures leads to asking the question as to the future directions of science and science-based technology. A review of old informal compacts between science and the rest of society, including the relation between science and religion, is an essential component of the answer. George Bugliarello-Sc.D., MIT; President, Polytechnic University,
Brooklyn, New York; President, Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society; engineer and educator with a broad background ranging from civil engineering to computer languages, biomedical engineering, and fluid mechanics; extensive international activities include past chairmanship of the Board of Science and Technology for International Development of the National Academy of Sciences; the visionary behind the $1 billion Metrotech Center in Brooklyn, NY, a model for urban development.