Prof. William Carroll - "Creation & Contemporary Cosmology: From Stephen Hawking to Thomas Aquinas"

Delivered at the KU Leuven Institute of Philosophy on March 16, 2016 as part of the Leuven Newman Society's "Faith & Reason" series. Prof. William Carroll (Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford) looks at the ways in which developments in contemporary cosmology are being used both to deny and, in some cases, to affirm the idea that the universe is created. He shows how the analysis offered by Thomas Aquinas on the relationship among philosophy, theology, and the natural sciences can help to disentangle much of the confusion in discussions today about the implications of cosmology for the doctrine of creation. Of particular importance is the distinction Thomas draws between creation understood philosophically and creation understood theologically - as well as the fact that "creation" as understood by Thomas and much of the tradition of metaphysical theism means something radically different from "creation" as used by many of those, both theists and non-theists, who are involved in cosmological debates today. His magisterial treatment of creation is an excellent example of his understanding of the relationship between reason and faith. For more LNS events, subscribe to us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Leuven-Newman-Society-Newman-Genootschap-Leuven-945872018806697/ and visit us at http://newmanleuven.be/.