DRAFT FINAL PROGRAMME IAN RAMSEY CENTRE AND SOPHIA EUROPA OXFORD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Director:  Dr. M. M. Yee;

Co-Director: Dr. Mike Parsons

Theme: "Human Persons and the God of Nature" 

Monday, 3rd September, 2007

Registration: 2-4 pm.

Tea/Coffee:  3.30-4pm.

4 pm

– Welcome – Professor John Hedley Brooke, University of Oxford;

Professor Antonio Russo, Co-ordinating Director of Sophia Europe. 

4.15 pm

Opening Address:

Dr. Margaret M. Yee, Hon. Associate Director, Ian Ramsey Centre and Chairperson & Joint Convener, Sophia Europa Oxford:

 “A Bigger View of the World - Exploring Reality." 

This will introduce an important framework of thought of the Oxford Theologian/Philosopher, Austin Farrer, who has been acclaimed as "the genius of Anglican theology for the 20th century" and possibly the 21st century.

 5 pm

First Speaker:

Prof. Edward Henderson, Philosopher, Louisiana - an address on double-agency - divine and human action.  (Reference:  "The Human Person in God's World - Studies to Commemorate the Austin Farrer Centenary - ed. By B. Hebblethwaite and D. Hedley, SCM, 2006)

 6.15 pm

Reception – Gardens of Oriel College

 7.15 pm

Dinner in Oriel College Dining Room

 8.30 pm

Evening Speaker:

Prof. Dr. Jurgen Ehlers, Mathematician, MPI Dept. of Gravitational Physics, Albert Einstein Institute, Potsdam, Germany, will address conference on theoretical and methodological issues with respect to the meaning of infinity, and the possibility of meaningful conversations between theologians/philosophers and mathematicians - A finite or infinite world?

Tuesday, 4th September, 2007.

9.30 am

(Morning Session)

Speakers: Human Persons and Nature

Prof. Ron Cole-Turner: Genetics and Theology – The Human Person – what makes a human person human?

 11 – 11.30 a.m.

Morning Tea/Coffee

11.30 a.m.

Prof. Nancey Murphy:  Theology and Philosophy – The God of Nature – Downward Causation?

 1 pm

Lunch 2.15 pm

(Afternoon Session)

Cameos:  (Half-hour slots + feedback)

(i)  Human Dignity - 3 papers - Dr. Patricia Rheme, Mainz; Prof. Thomas Mollenbeck, Tubingen; Prof. Stephan Schaede, Heidelberg

4-4.30 pm

Tea/Coffee

 4.30 pm – 6 pm

(ii)  Human Nature – Culture, Music Art and Religion:  A presentation with Musical Instruments and Readings - Prof. Michael Howlett (Poetry), Dr Colette Moloney (Music) and Fiona Dowling (Creative Designer)  - Waterford University, Ireland.

+ Discussion

7.15 pm

Dinner in Oriel College Dining Room

 8.30 pm

Evening Speaker:

Prof. Dr. Burchardt Liebsch - Phenomenology - human relations

Chair:  Professor Roger Trigg?

 Wednesday, 5th September, 2007

 (Morning Session)

9.30 a.m.

Public Forum:Exploring Reality – Creation and Evolution:  3 Questions to be put to a panel of invited academics, made up of (i)  scientists (ii) theologians (iii) philosophers

Professor Antonio Russo; Professor Roberto Poli;  Professor Eamonn Conway; Dr. Peter Hodgson; Dr. Gerard Hughes, S.J., Dr. Tom Kemp; Professor Pauline Rudd;  Dr. Mike Parsons.Chair: Prof. John Hedley Brooke, Joint Convener, Sophia Europa Oxford.

 11-11.30 a.m.

Morning Tea/Coffee 

11.30 a.m

Cameo:  (Half hour presentations + Discussion)

(iii)  Human Personhood – 2 papers – Prof. John Ozolins, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia; Ms. Angeliki Kerasidou, Harris Manchester College, Oxford.

+ Discussion with Professor Julian Savulescu and Prof. Ron Cole-Turner 

1 pm

Lunch 

2 pm (Afternoon Session)

Presentation of brief 15-minute short papers selected to be read to small discussion groups (optional).  Chaired by Dr. Mike Parsons and Dr. Margaret Yee.

 4-4.30pm

Tea/Coffee

 4.30 pm

Final Speaker:

Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne, FRS, CBE. "The Context of Hominid Evolution"

Chair:  Professor Alister McGrath?

 5.45 pm

Closing Thoughts for conference:  Prof. John H. Brooke

 6.30 pm

Drinks Reception

 7.30 pm

Conference DinnerGuest Speaker:  Professor Eric Weislogel, Metanexus Institute, Philadelphia, USA. (Still to be finally confirmed)

 Thursday, 6th September, 2007.

(Morning Meeting of Sophia Europe +Other interested international members of conference)

 9.30 a.m.

Panel Presentation and Discussion:  "Days Ahead" (i)  Europe and beyond(ii) Global outreach 

Chair:  Dr. Margaret M.Yee.

Speakers:  Prof. Eric Weislogel, Prof Antonio Russo, Prof. Roberto Poli and Prof. Eamonn Conway; + Chairpersons. 

Close:  11.30 a.m.

Buffet Lunch.