International Society for Science and Religion ISSRThe International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2022 Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion, given by Professor Christopher Southgate, Professor of Christian Theodicy at the University of Exeter, on the subject of:
“God and a World of Natural Evil: Theology and Science in Hard Conversation”
The Response to the Lecture will be given by Dr Andrew Davison, Starbridge Associate Professor in Theology and Natural Sciences, and Fellow and Dean of Chapel at Corpus Christi College, at the University of Cambridge.
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, last year's excellent Boyle Lecture (available on our channel) was moved entirely online, and ISSR is pleased to continue to present the Boyle Lectures online for all to listen, learn, and enjoy this most prestigious lecture series.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here: youtube.com/user/stmarylebow
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
ISSR is thankful to all who continue to make the Boyle Lectures possible each year.
ISSR 2022 Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion - Prof Christopher SouthgateInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2022-06-21 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2022 Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion, given by Professor Christopher Southgate, Professor of Christian Theodicy at the University of Exeter, on the subject of:
“God and a World of Natural Evil: Theology and Science in Hard Conversation”
The Response to the Lecture will be given by Dr Andrew Davison, Starbridge Associate Professor in Theology and Natural Sciences, and Fellow and Dean of Chapel at Corpus Christi College, at the University of Cambridge.
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, last year's excellent Boyle Lecture (available on our channel) was moved entirely online, and ISSR is pleased to continue to present the Boyle Lectures online for all to listen, learn, and enjoy this most prestigious lecture series.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here: youtube.com/user/stmarylebow
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
ISSR is thankful to all who continue to make the Boyle Lectures possible each year.
ISSR led the conference's first panel, discussing “Grand Narratives, Science, and Religion.” The panel was chaired by ISSR President Prof Niels Henrik Gregersen, with speakers ISSR Executive Secretary Prof Fraser Watts and ISSR Executive Assistant Anthony K Nairn. ISSR Fellow Dr Joanna Leidenhag responded to the panel.
ISSR was established as an elite academic society to foster global and multi-faith perspectives on the intersection of science and religion. We invite you to learn more about us and consider becoming an Associate member by visiting our website: https://www.issr.org.uk.
Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you next time on the ISSR YouTube Channel.
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) was pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 ISSR Book Prize for Science and Religion, held on Saturday, 31 August 2024, at the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (ESSSAT) conference in Split, Croatia. esssat.net/next-conference
Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the ISSR Book Prize is intended to understand ‘religion’ broadly and seek excellence in content and communication. We seek to reward books that make a significant contribution to the field, especially if they have the potential to take the field in new directions. We expect three books to be selected each year, one suitable for a general audience, one for an academic audience, and one for a professional audience.
Each year, we have awarded three prizes in distinct categories.
ISSR is pleased to have awarded the following authors the 2023 ISSR Book Prize on Science and Religion:
In the academic category – Peter N. Jordan for Naturalism in the Christian Imagination: Providence and Causality in Early Modern England. Cambridge University Press, 2022.
It is intriguing that the expansion of naturalism in 17th-century England arose within the Christian doctrine of providence, not in opposition to it. In this highly informative book, Peter Jordan shows how theologians and natural philosophers of this period wove naturalistic explanations into their Christian understanding of God’s activity in the world. The 17th-century discussion of providential naturalism is highly relevant to debates about religious naturalism in our own time.
In the category for a general readership – Philip Goff for Why? The Purpose of the Universe. Oxford University Press, 2023.
In this highly readable book, Philip Goff explores the purpose of the universe, starting from its remarkable fine-tuning. He argues for a close association between purpose and consciousness, and is dissatisfied with regarding fine-tuning as a brute fact. He argues against both traditional theism and various other non-traditional designers, and espouses a teleological cosmopsychism. Regardless of whether readers agree with that conclusion, this is a rigorous and brilliant examination of what can and can’t be concluded from the fine-tuning of the universe.
In the category for professionals and educators – Nicholas Spencer for Magisteria: The Entangled Histories of Science & Religion. OneWorld, 2023.
Spencer provides us with an impressive and sweeping overview of the complex historical relationship between science and religion in four parts: their early relationship up to 1600; how science developed within the framework of religion in the 17th century; how it broke away from its religious parent in the 19th century; and how science and religion have continued to be endlessly and fascinatingly entangled ever since This book has been widely praised as one of the best overviews of the history of science and religion to be published for many years.
ISSR was established as an elite academic society to foster global and multi-faith perspectives on the intersection of science and religion. We invite you to learn more about us and consider becoming an Associate member by visiting our website: https://www.issr.org.uk.
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) was pleased to sponsor and attend the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (ESSSAT) 2024 conference in Split, Croatia. esssat.net/next-conference
ISSR led the conference's first panel, discussing “Grand Narratives, Science, and Religion.” The panel was chaired by ISSR President Prof Niels Henrik Gregersen, with speakers ISSR Executive Secretary Prof Fraser Watts and ISSR Executive Assistant Anthony K Nairn. ISSR Fellow Dr Joanna Leidenhag responded to the panel.
ISSR was established as an elite academic society to foster global and multi-faith perspectives on the intersection of science and religion. We invite you to learn more about us and consider becoming an Associate member by visiting our website: https://www.issr.org.uk.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSR 2024 Book Prize AnnouncementInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2024-09-28 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) was pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 ISSR Book Prize for Science and Religion, which was held on Saturday, 31 August 2024, at the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (ESSSAT) conference in Split, Croatia. esssat.net/next-conference
Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the ISSR Book Prize is intended to understand ‘religion’ broadly and seek excellence in content and communication. We seek to reward books that make a significant contribution to the field, especially if they have the potential to take the field in new directions. We expect three books to be selected each year, one suitable for a general audience, one for an academic audience, and one for a professional audience.
Each year, we have awarded three prizes in distinct categories: Academic, General, and Professional.
ISSR is pleased to have awarded the following authors the 2023 ISSR Book Prize on Science and Religion:
In the academic category – Peter N. Jordan for Naturalism in the Christian Imagination: Providence and Causality in Early Modern England. Cambridge University Press, 2022.
It is intriguing that the expansion of naturalism in 17th-century England arose within the Christian doctrine of providence, not in opposition to it. In this highly informative book, Peter Jordan shows how theologians and natural philosophers of this period wove naturalistic explanations into their Christian understanding of God’s activity in the world. The 17th-century discussion of providential naturalism is highly relevant to debates about religious naturalism in our own time.
In the category for a general readership – Philip Goff for Why? The Purpose of the Universe. Oxford University Press, 2023.
In this highly readable book, Philip Goff explores the purpose of the universe, starting from its remarkable fine-tuning. He argues for a close association between purpose and consciousness, and is dissatisfied with regarding fine-tuning as a brute fact. He argues against both traditional theism and various other non-traditional designers, and espouses a teleological cosmopsychism. Regardless of whether readers agree with that conclusion, this is a rigorous and brilliant examination of what can and can’t be concluded from the fine-tuning of the universe.
In the category for professionals and educators – Nicholas Spencer for Magisteria: The Entangled Histories of Science & Religion. OneWorld, 2023.
Spencer provides us with an impressive and sweeping overview of the complex historical relationship between science and religion in four parts: their early relationship up to 1600; how science developed within the framework of religion in the 17th century; how it broke away from its religious parent in the 19th century; and how science and religion have continued to be endlessly and fascinatingly entangled ever since This book has been widely praised as one of the best overviews of the history of science and religion to be published for many years.
ISSR was established as an elite academic society to foster global and multi-faith perspectives on the intersection of science and religion. We invite you to learn more about us and consider becoming an Associate member by visiting our website: https://www.issr.org.uk.
Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you next time on the ISSR YouTube Channel.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSR 2023 Summer Conference Speaker Series - Iain McGilchristInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2024-08-14 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to share the plenary talks from the 2023 Summer Conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence.
Concluding a major research grant, generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled Understanding Spiritual Intelligence, the project aimed to understand spiritual intelligence by using AI to contribute constructively to the study of religion. The project explored five lines of enquiry: modelled the deployment of attention in spiritual practices, retrieved and developed Margaret Masterman’s work on religious language, used computational modelling to specify how spiritual reasoning might work, considered what is distinctive about human intelligence, and took steps towards building an artificial spiritual companion. The project team included experts in AI and religion/theology, including Lord Rowan Williams, Dr Iain McGilchrist, Dr Beth Singler, and the late Dr Yorick Wilks, among others.
The conference occurred from 20-23 June 2023 in Swindon, UK.
The second talk in this series of videos from the conference's plenary speakers is from Dr Iain McGilchrist, discussing “Who do we think we are?”
ISSR is an interdisciplinary academic society emphasizing learning and research in science and religion, and was established with a global and multi-faith perspective. We invite you to learn more about us and consider becoming an Associate member by visiting our website: https://www.issr.org.uk.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSR 2023 Summer Conference Speaker Series - Lord Rowan WilliamsInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2024-08-14 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to share the plenary talks from the 2023 Summer Conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence.
Concluding a major research grant, generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled Understanding Spiritual Intelligence, the project aimed to understand spiritual intelligence by using AI to contribute constructively to the study of religion. The project explored five lines of enquiry: modelled the deployment of attention in spiritual practices, retrieved and developed Margaret Masterman’s work on religious language, used computational modelling to specify how spiritual reasoning might work, considered what is distinctive about human intelligence, and took steps towards building an artificial spiritual companion. The project team included experts in AI and religion/theology including Lord Rowan Williams, Dr Iain McGilchrist, Dr Beth Singler, and the late Dr Yorick Wilks, among others.
The conference took place from 20-23 June 2023 in Swindon, UK.
The first talk in this series of videos from the plenary speakers of the conference is from Lord Rowan Williams, discussing “Spirit and Ecology.”
ISSR is an interdisciplinary academic society which emphasizes learning and research in the fields of science and religion, and was established with a global and multi-faith perspective. We invite you to learn more about us and consider becoming an Associate member by visiting our website: https://www.issr.org.uk.
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to share the plenary talks from the 2023 Summer Conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence.
Concluding a major research grant, generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled Understanding Spiritual Intelligence, the project aimed to understand spiritual intelligence by using AI to contribute constructively to the study of religion. The project explored five lines of enquiry: modelled the deployment of attention in spiritual practices, retrieved and developed Margaret Masterman’s work on religious language, used computational modelling to specify how spiritual reasoning might work, considered what is distinctive about human intelligence, and took steps towards building an artificial spiritual companion. The project team included experts in AI and religion/theology, including Lord Rowan Williams, Dr Iain McGilchrist, Dr Beth Singler, and the late Dr Yorick Wilks, among others.
The conference occurred from 20-23 June 2023 in Swindon, UK.
The second talk in this series of videos from the conference's plenary speakers is from Dr Iain McGilchrist, discussing “Who do we think we are?”
ISSR is an interdisciplinary academic society emphasizing learning and research in science and religion, and was established with a global and multi-faith perspective. We invite you to learn more about us and consider becoming an Associate member by visiting our website: https://www.issr.org.uk.
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to share the plenary talks from the 2023 Summer Conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence.
Concluding a major research grant, generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled Understanding Spiritual Intelligence, the project aimed to understand spiritual intelligence by using AI to contribute constructively to the study of religion. The project explored five lines of enquiry: modelled the deployment of attention in spiritual practices, retrieved and developed Margaret Masterman’s work on religious language, used computational modelling to specify how spiritual reasoning might work, considered what is distinctive about human intelligence, and took steps towards building an artificial spiritual companion. The project team included experts in AI and religion/theology including Lord Rowan Williams, Dr Iain McGilchrist, Dr Beth Singler, and the late Dr Yorick Wilks, among others.
The conference took place from 20-23 June 2023 in Swindon, UK.
The first talk in this series of videos from the plenary speakers of the conference is from Lord Rowan Williams, discussing “Spirit and Ecology.”
ISSR is an interdisciplinary academic society which emphasizes learning and research in the fields of science and religion, and was established with a global and multi-faith perspective. We invite you to learn more about us and consider becoming an Associate member by visiting our website: https://www.issr.org.uk.
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to share a discussion with the award-winning authors for the 2023 ISSR Book Prize for Science and Religion.
Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, we seek to reward books that make a major contribution to the field, especially if they have the potential to take the field in new directions.
ISSR is pleased to have awarded the following authors the 2023 ISSR Book Prize on Science and Religion:
In the academic category, the prize went to Jonathan Topham for Reading the Book of Nature: How Eight Bestsellers Reconnected Christianity and the Sciences on the Eve of the Victorian Age from the University of Chicago Press. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/R/bo173082681.html#:~:text=This%20series%20of%20eight%20works,beyond%20all%20expectations%2C%20the%20series
In the category for professionals and educators, the prize went to Donovan Schaefer for Wild Experiment: Feeling Science and Secularism after Darwin from Duke University Press. https://www.dukeupress.edu/wild-experiment
Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you next time on ISSR In Conversation.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSR In Conversation - 2023 Book Prize Winner DiscussionInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2024-05-09 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to share a discussion with the award-winning authors for the 2023 ISSR Book Prize for Science and Religion.
Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the ISSR Book Prize is intended to understand ‘religion’ broadly and seek excellence in content and communication. We seek to reward books that make a major contribution to the field, especially if they have the potential to take the field in new directions. We expect three books to be selected each year, one suitable for a general audience, one for an academic audience, and one for a professional audience. Each year there are three financial prizes of £500 for the winning authors presented to the winning authors at the American Academy of Religion’s annual meeting.
Each year we have awarded three prizes in distinct categories: Academic, General, and Professional.
ISSR is pleased to have awarded the following authors the 2023 ISSR Book Prize on Science and Religion:
In the academic category, the prize went to Jonathan Topham for Reading the Book of Nature: How Eight Bestsellers Reconnected Christianity and the Sciences on the Eve of the Victorian Age from the University of Chicago Press. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/R/bo173082681.html#:~:text=This%20series%20of%20eight%20works,beyond%20all%20expectations%2C%20the%20series ahc.leeds.ac.uk/philosophy/staff/143/professor-jon-topham
In the category for professionals and educators—the prize went to Donovan Schaefer for Wild Experiment: Feeling Science and Secularism after Darwin from Duke University Press. https://www.dukeupress.edu/wild-experiment https://rels.sas.upenn.edu/people/donovan-schaefer
ISSR, a beacon of interdisciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, was established with a global and multi-faith perspective. We invite you to learn more about us and consider becoming an Associate member by visiting our website: https://www.issr.org.uk.
Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you next time on ISSR In Conversation.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.uk2024 ISSR Boyle Lecture DiscussionInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2024-03-12 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2024 ISSR Boyle Lecture Discussion with the Lecturer (David Fergusson) and Respondent (Fiona Ellis), joined by Dr Joanna Leidenhag, Dr Russell Re Manning, and ISSR Prof President Niels Gregersen as chair. The aim of these Discussions is to go beyond the Lecture and push the Lecturer to reflect on and engage with thoughts on or related to their Lecture with thoughts and reflections from the panel.
What you are about to watch (or listen to) was recorded live after the YouTube Premiere of the Boyle Lecture on 06 March 2024, with the Boyle Lecture recorded on 12 February 2024 at St Mary-le-Bow Church in London. The Lecturer for 2024 was The Very Revd Professor David Fergusson, OBE, FRSE, FBA, Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland and Dean of the Order of the Thistle, on “Is religion natural?” This year's Response was from Professor Fiona Ellis, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Practical Philosophy, Theology, and Religion at the University of Roehampton, London.
If you haven’t yet watched the 2024 ISSR Boyle Lecture, I would recommend you watch that first. You can click the link on the screen, follow the link in the "playlist," or this link here:
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London, where it continues to be hosted each year. We thank St Mary-le-Bow, the Parish Council, and the Boyle Lecture Trustees for their continued support and guidance.
The first Live Discussion occurred in 2021 after the late Tom McLeish’s Boyle Lecture had to be put online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attracting a large audience, Tom’s Lecture and Discussion helped cement the Lecture and this post-lecture discussion as an annual online feature of the Boyle Lectures and ISSR’s commitment to offering the public stimulating discussions on academic topics at the intersection of science and religion.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here:
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 to promote education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the field of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here:
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2024 ISSR Boyle Lecture Discussion with the Lecturer (David Fergusson) and Respondent (Fiona Ellis), joined by Dr Joanna Leidenhag, Dr Russell Re Manning, and ISSR Prof President Niels Gregersen as chair. These Discussions aim to go beyond the Lecture and push the Lecturer to reflect on and engage with thoughts on or related to their Lecture with thoughts and reflections from the panel.
What you are about to watch (or listen to) was recorded live after the YouTube Premiere of the Boyle Lecture on 06 March 2024, with the Boyle Lecture recorded on 12 February 2024 at St Mary-le-Bow Church in London. The Lecturer for 2024 was The Very Revd Professor David Fergusson, OBE, FRSE, FBA, Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland and Dean of the Order of the Thistle, on “Is religion natural?” This year's Response was from Professor Fiona Ellis, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Practical Philosophy, Theology, and Religion at the University of Roehampton, London.
If you haven’t yet watched the 2024 ISSR Boyle Lecture, I would recommend you watch that first. You can click the link on the screen, follow the link in the "playlist," or this link here:
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London, where it continues to be hosted each year. We thank St Mary-le-Bow, the Parish Council, and the Boyle Lecture Trustees for their continued support and guidance.
The first Live Discussion occurred in 2021 after the late Tom McLeish’s Boyle Lecture had to be put online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attracting a large audience, Tom’s Lecture and Discussion helped cement the Lecture and this post-lecture discussion as an annual online feature of the Boyle Lectures and ISSR’s commitment to offering the public stimulating discussions on academic topics at the intersection of science and religion.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here:
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 to promote education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the field of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here:
The Response was given by Professor Fiona Ellis, Professor of Philosophy, and Director of the Centre for Practical Philosophy, Theology, and Religion at the University of Roehampton, London.
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London, where it continues to be hosted each year. We are grateful to St Mary-le-Bow the Rector, Revd George Bush, the Parish Council, and the Boyle Lecture Trustees for their continued support and guidance.
Since the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Boyle Lectures (available on our channel) have been offered online for all to listen, learn, and enjoy this most prestigious lecture series.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here:
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
ISSR is thankful to all who continue to make the Boyle Lectures possible each year.
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2024 Boyle Lecture, which was given by The Very Revd Professor David Fergusson, OBE, FRSE, FBA, Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland and Dean of the Order of the Thistle, with the Lecture titled
“Is religion natural?”
The Response was given by Professor Fiona Ellis, Professor of Philosophy, and Director of the Centre for Practical Philosophy, Theology, and Religion at the University of Roehampton, London.
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London, where it continues to be hosted each year. We are grateful to St Mary-le-Bow the Rector, Revd George Bush, the Parish Council, and the Boyle Lecture Trustees for their continued support and guidance.
Since the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Boyle Lectures (available on our channel) have been offered online for all to listen, learn, and enjoy this most prestigious lecture series.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here:
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
ISSR is thankful to all who continue to make the Boyle Lectures possible each year.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSR In Conversation - SI Special 4/4 - Paying Attention to Spiritual MeaningsInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2023-10-28 | Welcome back to ISSR’s In Conversation, a discussion series where ISSR Fellows discuss topics on and related to their work and the happenings in the academic field of science and religion. If you enjoy this content and want to see or hear more, please consider hitting the like button and subscribing to our channel. Your support helps us keep content like this coming. This is also available on most major podcast services, so do consider subscribing to the podcast if you enjoy listening while on the go. You can access the podcast directly using this link: issrpodcast.buzzsprout.com
ISSR has recently completed a large grant generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled, Understanding Spiritual Intelligence (SI for short). This video is part of a four-part series, recorded on Zoom between 28 June and 10 July 2023. This series arises from the conclusion of the SI grant and the research done for it, from which a few of the keynote presentations will be posted to our channels in the coming months. In the wake of the 2023 ISSR summer conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence, the speakers in this series were critical in bringing together the research and deliverables for this project.
This final part, presented live on Zoom on 10 July 2023, titled, Paying Attention to Spiritual Meanings: Modelling Spiritual Practices using Interacting Cognitive Subsystems, begins with an introduction from ISSR Executive Secretary Fraser Watts.
The developer of the cognitive architecture used for the grant project, Philip Barnard, then provides an in-depth presentation of his architectural design and insights into the process, among many other interesting details.
This is then followed by responses by both John Teasdale and Fraser Watts, after which an open discussion with the audience takes place.
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the field of "science and religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website at issr.org.uk
Welcome back to ISSR’s In Conversation, a discussion series where ISSR Fellows discuss topics on and related to their work and the happenings in the academic field of science and religion. If you enjoy this content and want to see or hear more, please consider hitting the like button and subscribing to our channel. Your support helps us keep content like this coming. This is also available on YouTube, you can access the ISSR channel by clicking here: youtube.com/@ISSR
ISSR has recently completed a large grant generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled, Understanding Spiritual Intelligence (SI for short). This video is part of a four-part series, recorded on Zoom between 28 June and 10 July 2023. This series arises from the conclusion of the SI grant and the research done for it, from which a few of the keynote presentations will be posted to our channels in the coming months. In the wake of the 2023 ISSR summer conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence, the speakers in this series were critical in bringing together the research and deliverables for this project.
This final part, presented live on Zoom on 10 July 2023, titled, Paying Attention to Spiritual Meanings: Modelling Spiritual Practices using Interacting Cognitive Subsystems, begins with an introduction from ISSR Executive Secretary Fraser Watts.
The developer of the cognitive architecture used for the grant project, Philip Barnard, then provides an in-depth presentation of his architectural design and insights into the process, among many other interesting details.
This is then followed by responses by both John Teasdale and Fraser Watts, after which an open discussion with the audience takes place.
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the field of "science and religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website at https://www.issr.org.uk
Anthony K Nairn anthonynairn.com/ ISSR Executive Assistant issr.org.ukISSR In Conversation - SI Special 3/4 - Modelling of Friendship using the Affinity ProgramInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2023-09-27 | Welcome back to ISSR’s In Conversation, a discussion series where ISSR Fellows discuss topics on and related to their work and the happenings in the academic field of science and religion. If you enjoy this content and want to see or hear more, please consider hitting the like button and subscribing to our channel. Your support helps us keep content like this coming. This is also available on most major podcast services, so do consider subscribing to the podcast if you enjoy listening while on the go. You can access the podcast directly using this link: issrpodcast.buzzsprout.com
ISSR has recently completed a large grant generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled, Understanding Spiritual Intelligence (SI for short). This video is part of a four-part series, recorded on Zoom between 28 June and 10 July 2023. This series arises from the conclusion of the SI grant and the research done for it. In the wake of the 2023 ISSR summer conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence, the speakers in this series were critical in bringing together the research and deliverables for this project.
This third part, presented live on Zoom on 05 July 2023, titled “Computational Modelling of Friendship using the Affinity Program”, begins with ISSR Executive Secretary Fraser Watts providing some brief introductions, which is followed by the presentation of the Affinity Program demo and details by William Clocksin. This is then followed by a discussion which includes members in attendance that day.
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the field of "science and religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website at issr.org.uk
ISSR has recently completed a large grant generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled, Understanding Spiritual Intelligence (SI for short). This video is part of a four-part series, recorded on Zoom between 28 June and 10 July 2023. This series arises from the conclusion of the SI grant and the research done for it. In the wake of the 2023 ISSR summer conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence, the speakers in this series were critical in bringing together the research and deliverables for this project.
This third part, presented live on Zoom on 05 July 2023, titled “Computational Modelling of Friendship using the Affinity Program”, begins with ISSR Executive Secretary Fraser Watts providing some brief introductions, which is followed by the presentation of the Affinity Program demo and details by William Clocksin. This is then followed by a discussion which includes members in attendance that day.
ISSR has recently completed a large grant generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled, Understanding Spiritual Intelligence (SI for short). This four-part series, which was recorded on Zoom between 28 June and 10 July 2023, arises from the conclusion of the SI grant and the research done for it. In the wake of the 2023 ISSR summer conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence, the speakers in this series were critical in bringing together the research and deliverables for this project.
This second part, presented live on Zoom on 03 July 2023, titled Spiritual Conversations with Companion Machines, begins with ISSR Executive Secretary Fraser Watts providing a detailed overview of the late Yorick Wilks’ work for the project on spiritual companions. Wilks, a computer scientist, unfortunately, died late in the project but was a central figure in the grant.
Then, the methodology of the project is provided by Roberta Catizone, who explains how the “Wizard of Oz” method, using Chat GPT-3, was implemented into a study using participants and a virtual spiritual companion.
The results of this study are detailed by Fraser Watts in his discussion on the empirical data of spiritual conversations with the machines developed by Wilks and Catizone.
A linguistic analysis of the participant research is provided by Gregory Grefenstette, and then to lead the open questions period, William Clocksin opens the floor leading the discussion.
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the field of "science and religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website at issr.org.uk Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/the_issr
Welcome back to ISSR’s In Conversation, a discussion series where ISSR Fellows discuss topics on and related to their work and the happenings in the academic field of science and religion. If you enjoy this content and want to see or hear more, please consider hitting the like button and subscribing to our channel. Your support helps us keep content like this coming. This is also available on YouTube, so do consider subscribing to our YouTube channel if you enjoy listening while on the go. You can access our YouTube channel here: youtube.com/@ISSR
ISSR has recently completed a large grant generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled, Understanding Spiritual Intelligence (SI for short). This four-part series, which was recorded on Zoom between 28 June and 10 July 2023, arises from the conclusion of the SI grant and the research done for it. In the wake of the 2023 ISSR summer conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence, the speakers in this series were critical in bringing together the research and deliverables for this project.
This second part, presented live on Zoom on 03 July 2023, titled Spiritual Conversations with Companion Machines, begins with ISSR Executive Secretary Fraser Watts providing a detailed overview of the late Yorick Wilks’ work for the project on spiritual companions. Wilks, a computer scientist, unfortunately, died late in the project but was a central figure in the grant.
Then, the methodology of the project is provided by Roberta Catizone, who explains how the “Wizard of Oz” method, using Chat GPT-3, was implemented into a study using participants and a virtual spiritual companion.
The results of this study are detailed by Fraser Watts in his discussion on the empirical data of spiritual conversations with the machines developed by Wilks and Catizone.
A linguistic analysis of the participant research is provided by Gregory Grefenstette, and then to lead the open questions period, William Clocksin opens the floor leading the discussion.
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the field of "science and religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website at issr.org.uk Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/the_issr
Thank you for watching the ISSR YouTube Channel.
Anthony K Nairn anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant issr.org.ukISSR In Conversation - Spiritual Intelligence Special 1/4 - Spiritual Intelligence - The Very IdeaInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2023-07-10 | Welcome back to ISSR’s In Conversation, a discussion series where ISSR Fellows discuss topics on and related to their work and the happenings in the academic field of science and religion. If you enjoy this content and want to see or hear more, please consider hitting the like button and subscribing to our channel. Your support helps us keep content like this coming. This is also available on most major podcast services, so do consider subscribing to the podcast if you enjoy listening while on the go. You can access the podcast directly using this link: issrpodcast.buzzsprout.com
ISSR has recently completed a large grant generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled, Understanding Spiritual Intelligence (SI for short). This four-part series, which was recorded on Zoom between 28 June and 10 July 2023, arises from the conclusion of the SI grant and the research done for it. In the wake of the 2023 ISSR summer conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence, the speakers in this series were critical in bringing together the research and deliverables for this project.
This first part, titled Spiritual Intelligence - the very idea, has ISSR Executive Secretary Fraser Watts provide an overview of the project and offer some detail on the motivations and challenges of the project. http://www.fraserwatts.co.uk
Then, ISSR Fellow Marius Dorobantu provides interesting context to the idea of artificial intelligence, theology, and the challenges and problems raised by general artificial intelligence having spiritual intelligence. https://research.vu.nl/en/persons/marius-dorobantu
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the field of "science and religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website at issr.org.uk
Welcome back to ISSR’s In Conversation, a discussion series where ISSR Fellows discuss topics on and related to their work and the happenings in the academic field of science and religion. If you enjoy this content and want to see or hear more, please consider hitting the like button and subscribing to our channel. Your support helps us keep content like this coming. This is also available on most major podcast services, so do consider subscribing to the podcast if you enjoy listening while on the go. You can access the podcast directly using this link: https://issrpodcast.buzzsprout.com
ISSR has recently completed a large grant generously funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation titled, Understanding Spiritual Intelligence (SI for short). This four-part series, which was recorded on Zoom between 28 June and 10 July 2023, arises from the conclusion of the SI grant and the research done for it. In the wake of the 2023 ISSR summer conference on Artificial and Spiritual Intelligence, the speakers in this series were critical in bringing together the research and deliverables for this project.
This first part, titled Spiritual Intelligence - the very idea, has ISSR Executive Secretary Fraser Watts provide an overview of the project and offer some detail on the motivations and challenges of the project. http://www.fraserwatts.co.uk
Then, ISSR Fellow Marius Dorobantu provides interesting context to the idea of artificial intelligence, theology, and the challenges and problems raised by general artificial intelligence having spiritual intelligence. https://research.vu.nl/en/persons/marius-dorobantu
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the field of "science and religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website at https://www.issr.org.uk
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSR In Conversation - 2022 ISSR Book Prize Winners DiscussionInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2023-06-07 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to share a discussion with the award-winning authors for the 2022 ISSR Book Prize for Science and Religion.
Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the ISSR Book Prize is intended to understand ‘religion’ broadly and to seek for excellence in both content and communication. We seek to reward books that make a major contribution to the field, especially if they have the potential to take the field into new directions. We expect that three books will be selected each year, with one suitable for a general audience (‘the public’), one for an academic audience, and one for a professional audience (e.g. ministers/pastors, or school teachers). Each year there are three financial prizes of £500 for the winning authors (each financial prize can be shared in the event of there being two co-authors) presented to the winning authors (originally at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion).
And in the category of professionals and educators, Calvin Mercer and Tracy Trothen for their book, Religion and the Technological Future: An Introduction to Biohacking, Artificial Intelligence and Transhumanism, 2021, from Palgrave Macmillan. https://religionprogram.ecu.edu/calvin-mercer-phd/ queensu.ca/religion/people/faculty/tracy-j-trothen link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-62359-3
In the general readership category, John Lardas Modern, for Neuromatic, or A Particular History of Religion and the Brain, 2021, from University of Chicago Press. https://www.fandm.edu/john-modern https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/N/bo105080439.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CNeuromatic%20is%20a%20fascinating%20exploration,the%20cave%20of%20the%20skull.%E2%80%9D
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
Introduction: 00:00 Shoaib Ahmed Malik: 02:52 Calvin Mercer and Tracy Trothen: 32:09 John Lardas Modern: 1:01:20
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to share a discussion with the award-winning authors for the 2022 ISSR Book Prize for Science and Religion.
Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the ISSR Book Prize is intended to understand ‘religion’ broadly and to seek for excellence in both content and communication. We seek to reward books that make a major contribution to the field, especially if they have the potential to take the field into new directions. We expect that three books will be selected each year, with one suitable for a general audience (‘the public’), one for an academic audience, and one for a professional audience (e.g. ministers/pastors, or school teachers). Each year there are three financial prizes of £500 for the winning authors (each financial prize can be shared in the event of there being two co-authors) presented to the winning authors (originally at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion).
In the general readership category, John Lardas Modern, for Neuromatic, or A Particular History of Religion and the Brain, 2021, from University of Chicago Press. https://www.fandm.edu/john-modern https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/N/bo105080439.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CNeuromatic%20is%20a%20fascinating%20exploration,the%20cave%20of%20the%20skull.%E2%80%9D
And in the category of professionals and educators, Calvin Mercer and Tracy Trothen for their book, Religion and the Technological Future: An Introduction to Biohacking, Artificial Intelligence and Transhumanism, 2021, from Palgrave Macmillan. https://religionprogram.ecu.edu/calvin-mercer-phd/ queensu.ca/religion/people/faculty/tracy-j-trothen link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-62359-3
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website here: issr.org.ukISSRs In Conversation - S1.Ep.2: AI and Religion - Beth Singler and Robert GeraciInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2023-05-31 | Send us a text (buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1920567/open_sms)
(Originally released 28 April 2022)
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to offer the second episode of our "In Conversation" series, a discussion between two academics on topics currently being worked on by Fellows of the ISSR.
Our second episode focuses on an interesting field of study in the academy, and one that has become an increasingly active area of interest--AI and religion. In Conversation to discuss AI and religion are ISSR Fellows Dr. Beth Singler and Prof Robert Geraci.
Anthony K Nairn ISSR Executive Assistant www.anthonynairn.comISSR In Conversation - Episode 8: Tom McLeishInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2023-04-28 | Welcome back to ISSR’s In Conversation series. ISSR In Conversation is a discussion series, where ISSR Fellows discuss topics on and related to their work and the happenings in the academic field of science and religion. If you enjoy this content and want to see or hear more, please consider hitting the like button and subscribing to our channel. Your support helps us keep content like this coming. This is also available on most major podcast services, so do consider subscribing to the podcast if you enjoy listening while on the go. You can access the podcast directly using this link: issrpodcast.buzzsprout.com
This episode is both a special one, and a sad one. On February 27th, 2023, ISSR Fellow Tom McLeish died after a short battle with serious illness. Tom was a major figure in the field of science and religion, having published two major contributions to the field called Faith and Wisdom in Science (2014) and The Poetry and Music of Science (2019), both of which I recommend reading. He also published many papers and made contributions across a range of academic and professional outputs. Tom began his career as a physicist, specifically a soft-matter physicist (writing the Oxford Very Short Introduction on the subject if you are interested in learning about that). He was a major figure in that field and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2011 as a result. But he was also a well-respected scholar of the humanities and theology, participating in and leading humanities research groups throughout his career.
Tom was the 2019 ISSR Boyle Lecturer on Science and Religion, a prestigious annual lecture series that ISSR runs in collaboration with the Boyle family and St Mary-le-Bow church in London. Due to COVID-19, the lecture was moved online, but Tom did not let that get in the way. With his help, his lecture became one of the best regarded, the first to be entirely online, and the most viewed, and we now maintain an online recording of subsequent Lectures as a result. If you have not yet watched the 2021 Boyle Lecture, I highly recommend it. youtu.be/khYs4qJiS-Y
Afterward, you could also watch the first post-lecture discussion where other scholars ask Tom questions about his Lecture, something we have continued on. youtu.be/8NsOVEbBO_o
This episode then is a celebration of Tom, a reflection of his memory and work. You will hear presentations from highly respected people in the field of science and religion, from a range of disciplines, all of whom knew Tom both professionally and personally.
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the field of "science and religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website at issr.org.uk
Welcome back to ISSR’s In Conversation series. ISSR In Conversation is a discussion series, where ISSR Fellows discuss topics on and related to their work and the happenings in the academic field of science and religion.
This episode is both a special one, and a sad one. On February 27th, 2023, ISSR Fellow Tom McLeish died after a short battle with serious illness. Tom was a major figure in the field of science and religion, having published two major contributions to the field called Faith and Wisdom in Science (2014) and The Poetry and Music of Science (2019), both of which I recommend reading.
Tom was the 2019 ISSR Boyle Lecturer on Science and Religion, a prestigious annual lecture series that ISSR runs in collaboration with the Boyle family and St Mary-le-Bow church in London. Due to COVID-19, the lecture was moved online, but Tom did not let that get in the way. If you have not yet watched the 2021 Boyle Lecture, I highly recommend it. youtu.be/khYs4qJiS-Y
Afterward, you could also watch the first post-lecture discussion where other scholars ask Tom questions about his Lecture, a first for the Boyle lectures and something we have kept going. youtu.be/8NsOVEbBO_o
This episode then is a celebration of Tom, a reflection of his memory and work. You will hear presentations from highly respected people in the field of science and religion, from a range of disciplines, all of whom knew Tom both professionally and personally. In conversation are:
www.issr.org.ukISSR 2023 Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion DiscussionInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2023-04-21 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the ISSR 2023 Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion Discussion with Prof Fraser Watts, Dr. Harris Wiseman, Revd Dr. Joanna Collicutt, Lord Williams, and Revd Prof Michael Reiss. There were even a few audience questions. The aim of these Discussions is to go beyond the Lecture and push the Lecturer to reflect on and engage with thoughts on or related to their Lecture.
What you are about to watch (or listen to) was recorded live after the YouTube Premiere of the Boyle Lecture on 23 March 2023, with the Boyle Lecture itself recorded on 13 February 2023 at St Mary-le-Bow Church in London. The Lecturer for 20230 (who was also the Respondent for Tom’s 2021 Lecture) was Lord Williams–Rowan on “Attending to Attention”.
If you haven’t yet watched the ISSR 2023 Boyle Lecture, I would recommend you start there and watch this after. You can click the link on the screen, follow the link in the "playlist", or this link here: youtu.be/5u9WGaWTgU8
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London, where it continues to take be hosted each year. We are grateful to St Mary-le-Bow the Rector, Revd George Bush, the Parish Council, and the Boyle Lecture Trustees for their continued support and guidance.
The first Live Discussion occurred in 2021 after the late Tom McLeish’s Boyle Lecture had to be put online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attracting a large audience, Tom’s Lecture and Discussion helped cement the Lecture and this post-lecture discussion as an annual online feature of the Boyle Lectures and ISSR’s commitment to offering the public stimulating discussions on academic topics at the intersection of science and religion.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here: youtube.com/user/stmarylebow
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
ISSR is thankful to all who continue to make the Boyle Lectures possible each year.
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the ISSR 2023 Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion Discussion with Prof Fraser Watts, Dr. Harris Wiseman, Revd Dr. Joanna Collicutt, Lord Williams, and Revd Prof Michael Reiss. There were even a few audience questions. The aim of these Discussions is to go beyond the Lecture and push the Lecturer to reflect on and engage with thoughts on or related to their Lecture.
What you are about to watch (or listen to) was recorded live after the YouTube Premiere of the Boyle Lecture on 23 March 2023, with the Boyle Lecture itself recorded on 13 February 2023 at St Mary-le-Bow Church in London. The Lecturer for 20230 (who was also the Respondent for Tom’s 2021 Lecture) was Lord Williams–Rowan on “Attending to Attention”.
If you haven’t yet watched the ISSR 2023 Boyle Lecture, I would recommend you start there and watch this after. You can click the link on the screen, follow the link in the "playlist", or this link here: youtu.be/5u9WGaWTgU8
These and other ISSR videos are available on your favourite podcast app: https://issrpodcast.buzzsprout.com
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London, where it continues to take be hosted each year. We are grateful to St Mary-le-Bow the Rector, Revd George Bush, the Parish Council, and the Boyle Lecture Trustees for their continued support and guidance.
The first Live Discussion occurred in 2021 after the late Tom McLeish’s Boyle Lecture had to be put online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attracting a large audience, Tom’s Lecture and Discussion helped cement the Lecture and this post-lecture discussion as an annual online feature of the Boyle Lectures and ISSR’s commitment to offering the public stimulating discussions on academic topics at the intersection of science and religion.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here: youtube.com/user/stmarylebow
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
ISSR is thankful to all who continue to make the Boyle Lectures possible each year.
Our first episode focused on E O Wilson, who died on 26 December 2021. In Conversation to discuss Wilson and his work are ISSR Fellow, Michael Ruse, and ISSR President, Michael Reiss.
The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2023 Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion, given by The Rt Revd and Rt Hon the Lord (Rowan) Williams of Oystermouth, on the subject of:
“Attending to Attention”
The Response to the Lecture will be given by Dr John Teasdale, a distinguished psychologist and the author of What Happens in Mindfulness: Inner Awakening and Embodied Cognition.
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London.
Since the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Boyle Lectures (available on our channel) have been offered online for all to listen, learn, and enjoy this most prestigious lecture series.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here: youtube.com/user/stmarylebow
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
ISSR is thankful to all who continue to make the Boyle Lectures possible each year.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.uk2023 ISSR Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion - Rt Revd and Rt Hon Lord (Rowan) WilliamsInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2023-03-23 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2023 Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion, given by The Rt Revd and Rt Hon the Lord (Rowan) Williams of Oystermouth, on the subject of:
“Attending to Attention”
The Response to the Lecture will be given by Dr John Teasdale, a distinguished psychologist and the author of What Happens in Mindfulness: Inner Awakening and Embodied Cognition.
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London, where it continues to take be hosted each year. We are grateful to St Mary-le-Bow the Rector, Revd George Bush, the Parish Council, and the Boyle Lecture Trustees for their continued support and guidance.
Since the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Boyle Lectures (available on our channel) have been offered online for all to listen, learn, and enjoy this most prestigious lecture series.
Prior Boyle Lectures before 2021 can be found on St Mary-le-Bow’s YouTube channel here: youtube.com/user/stmarylebow
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through interdisciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
ISSR is thankful to all who continue to make the Boyle Lectures possible each year.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSR In Conversation - Episode 6: The Quest for Human FlourishingInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2022-10-28 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to offer the sixth episode of our "In Conversation" series, a discussion series between ISSR Fellows on topics broadly related to the academic field of "science and religion".
Our sixth episode continues our two-part theme on flourishing, focusing on a recent book by Prof Andrew Briggs and Prof Michael Reiss. In conversation with them to delve deep into the book and its genesis is Prof Philip Clayton.
Professor Andrew Briggs is first holder of the Chair in Nanomaterials at the University of Oxford. andrewbriggs.org
Michael Reiss is Professor of Science Education at the Institute Of Education at University College London's Faculty of Education and Society. iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=MJREI02
Professor Philip Clayton holds the Ingraham Chair at Claremont School of Theology. philipclayton.net
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of "science" and "religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website at issr.org.uk
Thank you for watching the ISSR YouTube Channel.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSR In Conversation - Episode 5: Love and Global Flourishing w/ Thomas J Oord and Matthew T LeeInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2022-08-03 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to offer the fifth episode of our "In Conversation" series (the third and fourth being the Boyle Lecture and the Lecture Discussion), a discussion series between ISSR Fellows on topics broadly related to the academic field of "science and religion".
Our fifth episode focuses on an important field of study in the academy, especially given all that is happening globally and yet to come. This is a field that has become an increasingly active area of interest--flourishing. In Conversation to discuss flourishing, love, and other related topics, are ISSR Fellows Prof Thomas Jay Oord and Prof Matthew T Lee.
Thomas Jay Oord is Professor of Open and Relational Theology at Northwind Theological Seminary in the US state of Florida, and is the Director of The Center for Open and Relational Theology at Northwind. http://thomasjayoord.com
Matthew T Lee, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Akron, is currently Senior Research Scientist at Harvard University, and Director of Empirical Research at the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science. https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/people/matthew-t-lee-0
For the Harvard Flourishing Program, which Matt referred to: https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of "science" and "religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(or non) faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website here at issr.org.uk
Thank you for watching the ISSR YouTube Channel.
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSR 2022 Boyle Lecture on Science and Religion | Post-Lecture DiscussionInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2022-06-22 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2022 Boyle (Post-)Lecture Discussion, which first began last year. This discussion was given live on Zoom immediately following the YouTube Premiere of the Boyle Lecture. Present for discussion were Professor Christopher Southgate, Dr Andrew Davison, Dr Celia Deane-Drummond, and Dr Fraser Watts, and was Chaired by Prof Michael Reiss.
The Post-Lecture Discussion is an opportunity for more responses to the Boyle Lecturer from prominent scholars, as well as audience questions.
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
ISSR is thankful to all who continue to make the Boyle Lectures possible each year.
Until next year,
Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Executive Assistant www.issr.org.ukISSRs In Conversation - Episode 2: AI and Religion - Beth Singler and Robert GeraciInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2022-04-28 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to offer the second episode of our "In Conversation" series, a discussion between two academics on topics currently being worked on by Fellows of the ISSR.
Our second episode focuses on an interesting field of study in the academy, and one that has become an increasingly active area of interest--AI and religion. In Conversation to discuss AI and religion are ISSR Fellows Dr. Beth Singler and Prof Robert Geraci.
Dr Beth Singler is Junior Research Fellow in Artificial Intelligence at Homerton College, University of Cambridge. You can visit her website here: bvlsingler.com
Prof Robert Geraci is Professor of Religious Studies at Manhatten College in NYC. You can visit his website here: robertgeraci.com
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of "science" and "religion" (broadly conceived), conducted in an international and multi-(non)faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
Thank you for watching the ISSR YouTube Channel.
Anthony K Nairn ISSR Executive Assistant www.anthonynairn.comISSRs In Conversation - Episode 1: E O Wilson - Michael Reiss and Michael RuseInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2022-01-29 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to launch the first episode in what we are hoping will become a semi-regular series of an ISSR Fellow in conversation with one other scholar (or Fellow).
Our first episode focuses on the late E O Wilson, who died on 26 December, 2021. In Conversation to discuss Wilson and his work are ISSR Fellow, Michael Ruse, and ISSR President, Michael Reiss.
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
Thank you for watching the ISSR YouTube Channel.
Anthony K NairnISSR 2021 Book Prize Winners Online EventInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2021-11-30 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to share a discussion with the award winning authors for the 2021 ISSR Book Prize for Science and Religion. Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the ISSR Book Prize is intended to understand ‘religion’ broadly and to seek for excellence in both content and communication. We will seek to reward books that make a major contribution to the field, especially if they have the potential to take the field into new directions. We expect that three books will be selected each year, with one suitable for a general audience (‘the public’), one for an academic audience, and one for a professional audience (e.g. ministers/pastors, or school teachers).
Each year there are three financial prizes of £500 for the winning authors (each financial prize can be shared in the event of there being two co-authors) presented to the winning authors (originally at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion). Due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, ISSR has shifted to publicly announcing the winners online via a live discussion shared on YouTube.
Prof James W Jones – Living Religion: Embodiment, Theology and the Possibility of a Spiritual Sense (Oxford University Press, 2019)
Prof Ariel Glucklich – The Joy of Religion: Exploring the Nature of Pleasure in the Spiritual Life (Cambridge University Press, 2020)
Prof Tom Aetchner – Media and Science-Religion Conflict (Routledge, 2020)
ISSR was founded for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. For more information about us or to become an Associate member, please visit our website here: issr.org.uk
00:00 Introduction, Michael J Reiss 01:45 Living Religion by James W Jones, with questions by Fraser Watts 16:14 The of Religion by Ariel Glucklich, with questions by Edward Larson 42:31 Media and Science-Religion Conflict by Tom Aechtner, with questions by Russell Re Manning 1:04:25 Concluding Remarks, Michael J Reiss and Fraser Watts
Thank you for watching the ISSR YouTube Channel.
Anthony K NairnISSR 2021 Boyle Lecture Webinar Panel DiscussionInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2021-02-06 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2021 Boyle Lecture Webinar discussion, the second part of this year's Boyle Lecture. The panel members are Professor Tom McLeish, The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Lord Rowan Williams, Professor Sarah Coakley, Dr Sarah Lane Ritchie, Professor Fraser Watts, and Professor Michael J Reiss.
This is the discussion in response to Professor Tom Mcleish's Boyle Lecture, “The Rediscovery of Contemplation Through Science”. This can be viewed on our channel, or through the following link: youtube.com/watch?v=khYs4qJiS-Y
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, this year's Boyle Lecture was moved entirely online. As such, ISSR is pleased to present this year's Boyle Lecture on YouTube, allowing all to join and listen to this important and prestigious lecture on science and religion.
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.ukISSR 2021 Boyle Lecture by Prof Tom McLeish and Response by Rt Revd & Rt Hon Lord Rowan WilliamsInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2021-02-03 | The International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) is pleased to present the 2021 Boyle Lecture, given by Professor Tom McLeish, Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of York, on the subject of:
“The Rediscovery of Contemplation Through Science”
The response this year is given by The Rt Revd & Rt Hon The Lord Rowan Williams of Oystermouth.
The original Boyle Lectures were given as a series of sermons at several churches in London and Westminster following their establishment in 1692. The ‘original Boyles’ lasted until about 1730, although sporadic later ‘Boyle Lectures’ continued to be given in the centuries since then. The lecture series was revived in 2004 at one of its original locations, the Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside in the City of London.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, this year's Boyle Lecture was moved entirely online. As such, ISSR is pleased to present this year's Boyle Lecture on YouTube, allowing all to join and listen to this important and prestigious lecture on science and religion.
The International Society for Science and Religion was founded in 2002 for the promotion of education through inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion, conducted in an international and multi-faith context. To find out more about ISSR, please visit our website here: issr.org.ukISSR 2019 Religion, Evolution and the Social Brain Conference Keynote: Prof. Robin DunbarInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2020-07-04 | Keynote presentation from the ISSR's Templeton Religion Trust grant principal investigator, Prof. Robin Dunbar.ISSR 2019 Religion and the Social Brain Conference Keynote: James W. JonesInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2020-04-27 | ...ISSR 2019 Religion and the Social Brain Conference Keynote: Celia Deane DrummondInternational Society for Science and Religion ISSR2020-04-27 | ...