Sixth Annual Thomistic Philosophy and Natural Science Symposium
Lumen Mundi: The Nature of Light and Its Effects in Nature
July 17-21, 2024 | Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C.
The Thomistic Philosophy and Natural Science Symposium gathers expert scientists and philosophers to discuss the potential compatibility and mutual enrichment of the study of Aquinas’ philosophy of nature and various forms of modern scientific knowledge in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
The 2024 Symposium will begin with a day of lectures geared towards an introduction to Thomistic Philosophy and the history of science, with a focus on light. The rest of the Symposium will include lectures by scientific experts on the nature of light with respect to their fields and discussions between scientists and philosophers.
Cost, Location, and Accommodation:
All registration costs, food, lodging, and activities are covered by the Thomistic Institute.
This year’s symposium will once again be held in Washington, D.C. Attendees will stay in lodging near the Dominican House of Studies. Lectures and meals will all be on site. Opportunities for Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and Liturgy of the Hours will be available with the Dominican Friars.
Applications have closed.
2024 Speakers:
Dr. Stephen Barr (Society of Catholic Scientists)
Prof. John H. Boyer (Loyola University New Orleans)
Prof. Brian Carl (University of St. Thomas, Houston)
Provost Christopher Clemens (UNC at Chapel Hill)
Fr. Thomas Davenport, O.P. (Angelicum)
Prof. Richard Hassing (The Catholic University of America)
Prof. Keith Kozminski (University of Virginia)
Prof. Catherine Peters (Loyola Marymount University)
Fr. Jordan Schmidt, O.P. (Dominican House of Studies)
Prof. Vincenzo Tamma (University of Portsmouth)
Prof. Matthew Wohlever (University of Pittsburgh)
Schedule:
Thursday, July 18
9:30 AM - Prof. Brian Carl - “An Introduction to the Philosophy of Nature”
10:45 AM - Prof. John H. Boyer - “The Ontological Status of Light and Color in St. Thomas Aquinas”
1:30 PM - Prof. Richard Hassing - “On the History and Philosophy of Light”
2:45 PM - Discussion Panel
Friday, July 19
9:30 AM - Dr. Stephen Barr - “Modern Physics and the Nature of Light”
10:45 AM - Provost Christopher Clemens - “What to the astronomer is a beam of light?”
1:30 PM - Fr. Thomas Davenport, O.P. - “Quid est Lux: Where Does Electromagnetic Radiation Fit in a Thomistic View of Nature?”
2:45 PM - Prof. Vincenzo Tamma - “The Wonder of Light: Measurement and Interference in Quantum Optics”
3:30 PM - Discussion Panel
Saturday, July 20
9:30 AM - Prof. Matthew Wohlever - “Light in Biology: A Molecular Perspective”
10:45 AM - Prof. Keith Kozminiski - “Light and Life: Cellular responses to light”
1:30 PM - Prof. Catherine Peters - “The Sun as a Universal Cause in the Aristotelian-Thomistic Tradition”
2:45 PM - Discussion Panel
Sunday, July 21
9:30 AM - Fr. Jordan Schmidt, O.P. - “Lumen de lumine: Biblical Illuminations of Christ’s Revelatory Activity”
This event is in-person only. If you cannot make it to the conference, be sure to listen to the lecture recordings after they are published on the Thomistic Institute podcast.