U radu iz filozofske i teološke perspektive promišljamo o fenomenu stranca. U uvodu je provedena ... more U radu iz filozofske i teološke perspektive promišljamo o fenomenu stranca. U uvodu je provedena kratka etimološka analiza pojma stranac, nakon čega je ukazano kako je pojam ipak ostao nejasan u odnosu na druge – strane i voljene osobe, ali u odnosu na nas same, kao i u konačnici u odnosu na Boga. U prvom dijelu rada provodi se fenomenološko i egzistencijalno promišljanje strukture susreta sa strancem, prije svega kroz kategorije mjesta/prostora kao središnje odrednice identiteta stranca, potom kroz fenomene zastrašujućeg i fascinantnog, promjene i čuđenja, lica i straha. U drugom dijelu rada pojam stranca promišljamo uz pomoć enciklike pape Franje Fratelli tutti, koja se skladno naslanja na filozofske naglaske, ali ujedno nudi i teološko proširenje razumijevanja susreta sa strancem kao susreta s bližnjim. U zaključku donosimo sintezu filozofskog i teološkog razumijevanja pojma stranac.
Pain is a ubiquitous phenomenon. Since the beginnings of philosophical thought, the question of t... more Pain is a ubiquitous phenomenon. Since the beginnings of philosophical thought, the question of the nature and origin of pain has developed. However, it also raises the question of how an omnipotent and morally perfect God can allow so much pain and suffering in the world. In this paper, we analyze the findings of biology and evolutionary medicine to better understand the phenomenon of pain. Based on these insights, we then seek to enrich theological and theodicean reflections on the relationship between pain, humans, and God.
Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought
Contemporary “knowledge” relies increasingly on probabilistic data. A key example is the “evidenc... more Contemporary “knowledge” relies increasingly on probabilistic data. A key example is the “evidence” for the effectiveness of health and social welfare interventions. Such claims to “knowing” require an epistemological underpinning. This paper explores the concept of probabilistic knowledge, evidence and “proof” which underpin claims for the effectiveness of social welfare interventions from the perspective of scholastic epistemology. It provides a framework based on contingent events, establishing different levels of certitude and ways of increasing it, thanks to intellectual virtues such as prudence and art. Knowing the value of the data that form the basis for making decisions in social processes, we can construct directions for social policies. Greater methodological precision (that philosophy in its various traditions might offer) may be of service to attempts in social work to conceptualize questions of effectiveness and measurement of outcomes, given their probabilistic nature.
Suvremeno društvo svjedoči suprotstavljanju humanističke i znanstvene slike o čovjeku, čije poslj... more Suvremeno društvo svjedoči suprotstavljanju humanističke i znanstvene slike o čovjeku, čije posljedice čovjek tjeskobno osjeti kada promišlja samoga sebe, svijet i Boga. Članak čitatelju prikazuje promišljanje poznatog hrvatskog neurokirurga dr. Ante Matkovića, koji pokušava ostvariti interdisciplinaran dijalog spoznaja prirodnih znanosti, filozofije i teologije. U prvome dijelu rada ukratko ćemo se upoznati s opasnostima znanstvene slike o čovjeku, koja se ostvaruje unutar materijalističkog pogleda na svijet i redukcionističke metode. U drugome dijelu rada izložit ćemo ključne točke promišljanja dr. Matkovića, koji ne zanemaruje slojevitost ljudskoga bića i ne odbacuje a priori njegovu dušu kao nešto suvišno i znanstveno prevladano. U zaključku rada ponudit ćemo određene ideje kao ohrabrenje za daljnje razvijanje interdisciplinarnog dijaloga.Abstract The contemporary society witnesses the contrasting of the humanistic and scientific definitions of man, whose consequences are felt w...
In this paper we will try to show relation between phenomenon of kitsch and phenomenon of falling... more In this paper we will try to show relation between phenomenon of kitsch and phenomenon of falling (Das Verfallen) and through that the phenomenon of forgetting in everydayness of human life. The phenomenon of kitsch we shall analyse through the work of novelist Milan Kundera (1929–) and his novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984). We will try to show, with the help of method of comparison and synthesis, that Kundera’s view on kitsch as a phenomenon that helps forgetting the face of death gets its philosophical conformation in the phenomenon of falling introduced by Martin Heidegger (1889–1976) in his work Being and Time (1927). Finally, we will try to explicate, on the one hand, connections and interrelations of an art piece such as novel and a philosophical system through the mentioned phenomena. On the other hand, we will try to show that the phenomenon that comes into present through kitsch and falling is phenomenon of forgetting death. If kitsch and falling are something ...
Although religious freedom significantly affects certain people, the guarantees for its observanc... more Although religious freedom significantly affects certain people, the guarantees for its observance also have implications for the quality of social life and the security of the state. Polarization and conflict between religious groups is not only a conflict for new believers, but also contributes to the weakening of the internal state. It seems that one of the elements of such a destabilization of states is the promotion and lack of reaction to the phenomenon of ridiculing religion and its followers in cyberspace. As can be seen from reports on the situation in Poland, there are increasing signs of hostility to religion, stereotyping, and discrimination. The issues can be considered on two levels: individual protection for freedom of speech, and state protection. At the end of this paper, proposals for measures to prevent crimes based on religion or belief are presented.
Saint John Paul II was a great man, remarkable Pope, and he was also a distinguished philosopher.... more Saint John Paul II was a great man, remarkable Pope, and he was also a distinguished philosopher. Looking at his writings, we can easily see how his philosophical knowledge contour his thinking. However, St. John Paul II was also a great communicator of the Word of Gospel to everyday people, especially during his pastoral visits. Did his philosophical knowledge help him to develop a more straightforward communication with people from all around the world? We believe it did, and that philosophy can be of great service with spreading the message of the Gospel. Furthermore, the reason why we are dealing with philosophical topics in the work of St. John Paul II in this paper, lies also in an effort to show how philosophy has a strong practical aspect...
U radu analiziramo odnos emocija i filozofije u Platonovu dijalogu Fedon. Kao ključ razumijevanja to... more U radu analiziramo odnos emocija i filozofije u Platonovu dijalogu Fedon. Kao ključ razumijevanja toga odnosa postavljamo Platonovo izostavljanje samoga sebe iz dijaloga kao sugovornika. Dosadašnje studije Platonova odnosa prema emocijama nisu uzimale u obzir tu dimenziju povlačenja vlastite tjelesnosti iz dijaloga. Naime, čovjekove emocije pojavljuju se upravo kroz tijelo. Nadalje, dosad se držalo kako je Sokrat čvrsto vladao emocijama posljednji dan života, dok će rad pokazati kako on ipak pokazuje određene emocije. Upravo zato mislimo kako Platon izostavlja samog sebe iz dijaloga zbog emocija koje ne može kontrolirati pred licem Sokratove smrti. Cilj rada je pokazati kako su emocije i strah pred smrću u Fedonu ipak prevladali Sokratove argumente u prilog teoriji o besmrtnosti duše, a što se očituje u ponašanju prisutnih učenika, kao i Platona.
U radu iz filozofske i teološke perspektive promišljamo o fenomenu stranca. U uvodu je provedena ... more U radu iz filozofske i teološke perspektive promišljamo o fenomenu stranca. U uvodu je provedena kratka etimološka analiza pojma stranac, nakon čega je ukazano kako je pojam ipak ostao nejasan u odnosu na druge – strane i voljene osobe, ali u odnosu na nas same, kao i u konačnici u odnosu na Boga. U prvom dijelu rada provodi se fenomenološko i egzistencijalno promišljanje strukture susreta sa strancem, prije svega kroz kategorije mjesta/prostora kao središnje odrednice identiteta stranca, potom kroz fenomene zastrašujućeg i fascinantnog, promjene i čuđenja, lica i straha. U drugom dijelu rada pojam stranca promišljamo uz pomoć enciklike pape Franje Fratelli tutti, koja se skladno naslanja na filozofske naglaske, ali ujedno nudi i teološko proširenje razumijevanja susreta sa strancem kao susreta s bližnjim. U zaključku donosimo sintezu filozofskog i teološkog razumijevanja pojma stranac.
Pain is a ubiquitous phenomenon. Since the beginnings of philosophical thought, the question of t... more Pain is a ubiquitous phenomenon. Since the beginnings of philosophical thought, the question of the nature and origin of pain has developed. However, it also raises the question of how an omnipotent and morally perfect God can allow so much pain and suffering in the world. In this paper, we analyze the findings of biology and evolutionary medicine to better understand the phenomenon of pain. Based on these insights, we then seek to enrich theological and theodicean reflections on the relationship between pain, humans, and God.
Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought
Contemporary “knowledge” relies increasingly on probabilistic data. A key example is the “evidenc... more Contemporary “knowledge” relies increasingly on probabilistic data. A key example is the “evidence” for the effectiveness of health and social welfare interventions. Such claims to “knowing” require an epistemological underpinning. This paper explores the concept of probabilistic knowledge, evidence and “proof” which underpin claims for the effectiveness of social welfare interventions from the perspective of scholastic epistemology. It provides a framework based on contingent events, establishing different levels of certitude and ways of increasing it, thanks to intellectual virtues such as prudence and art. Knowing the value of the data that form the basis for making decisions in social processes, we can construct directions for social policies. Greater methodological precision (that philosophy in its various traditions might offer) may be of service to attempts in social work to conceptualize questions of effectiveness and measurement of outcomes, given their probabilistic nature.
Suvremeno društvo svjedoči suprotstavljanju humanističke i znanstvene slike o čovjeku, čije poslj... more Suvremeno društvo svjedoči suprotstavljanju humanističke i znanstvene slike o čovjeku, čije posljedice čovjek tjeskobno osjeti kada promišlja samoga sebe, svijet i Boga. Članak čitatelju prikazuje promišljanje poznatog hrvatskog neurokirurga dr. Ante Matkovića, koji pokušava ostvariti interdisciplinaran dijalog spoznaja prirodnih znanosti, filozofije i teologije. U prvome dijelu rada ukratko ćemo se upoznati s opasnostima znanstvene slike o čovjeku, koja se ostvaruje unutar materijalističkog pogleda na svijet i redukcionističke metode. U drugome dijelu rada izložit ćemo ključne točke promišljanja dr. Matkovića, koji ne zanemaruje slojevitost ljudskoga bića i ne odbacuje a priori njegovu dušu kao nešto suvišno i znanstveno prevladano. U zaključku rada ponudit ćemo određene ideje kao ohrabrenje za daljnje razvijanje interdisciplinarnog dijaloga.Abstract The contemporary society witnesses the contrasting of the humanistic and scientific definitions of man, whose consequences are felt w...
In this paper we will try to show relation between phenomenon of kitsch and phenomenon of falling... more In this paper we will try to show relation between phenomenon of kitsch and phenomenon of falling (Das Verfallen) and through that the phenomenon of forgetting in everydayness of human life. The phenomenon of kitsch we shall analyse through the work of novelist Milan Kundera (1929–) and his novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984). We will try to show, with the help of method of comparison and synthesis, that Kundera’s view on kitsch as a phenomenon that helps forgetting the face of death gets its philosophical conformation in the phenomenon of falling introduced by Martin Heidegger (1889–1976) in his work Being and Time (1927). Finally, we will try to explicate, on the one hand, connections and interrelations of an art piece such as novel and a philosophical system through the mentioned phenomena. On the other hand, we will try to show that the phenomenon that comes into present through kitsch and falling is phenomenon of forgetting death. If kitsch and falling are something ...
Although religious freedom significantly affects certain people, the guarantees for its observanc... more Although religious freedom significantly affects certain people, the guarantees for its observance also have implications for the quality of social life and the security of the state. Polarization and conflict between religious groups is not only a conflict for new believers, but also contributes to the weakening of the internal state. It seems that one of the elements of such a destabilization of states is the promotion and lack of reaction to the phenomenon of ridiculing religion and its followers in cyberspace. As can be seen from reports on the situation in Poland, there are increasing signs of hostility to religion, stereotyping, and discrimination. The issues can be considered on two levels: individual protection for freedom of speech, and state protection. At the end of this paper, proposals for measures to prevent crimes based on religion or belief are presented.
Saint John Paul II was a great man, remarkable Pope, and he was also a distinguished philosopher.... more Saint John Paul II was a great man, remarkable Pope, and he was also a distinguished philosopher. Looking at his writings, we can easily see how his philosophical knowledge contour his thinking. However, St. John Paul II was also a great communicator of the Word of Gospel to everyday people, especially during his pastoral visits. Did his philosophical knowledge help him to develop a more straightforward communication with people from all around the world? We believe it did, and that philosophy can be of great service with spreading the message of the Gospel. Furthermore, the reason why we are dealing with philosophical topics in the work of St. John Paul II in this paper, lies also in an effort to show how philosophy has a strong practical aspect...
U radu analiziramo odnos emocija i filozofije u Platonovu dijalogu Fedon. Kao ključ razumijevanja to... more U radu analiziramo odnos emocija i filozofije u Platonovu dijalogu Fedon. Kao ključ razumijevanja toga odnosa postavljamo Platonovo izostavljanje samoga sebe iz dijaloga kao sugovornika. Dosadašnje studije Platonova odnosa prema emocijama nisu uzimale u obzir tu dimenziju povlačenja vlastite tjelesnosti iz dijaloga. Naime, čovjekove emocije pojavljuju se upravo kroz tijelo. Nadalje, dosad se držalo kako je Sokrat čvrsto vladao emocijama posljednji dan života, dok će rad pokazati kako on ipak pokazuje određene emocije. Upravo zato mislimo kako Platon izostavlja samog sebe iz dijaloga zbog emocija koje ne može kontrolirati pred licem Sokratove smrti. Cilj rada je pokazati kako su emocije i strah pred smrću u Fedonu ipak prevladali Sokratove argumente u prilog teoriji o besmrtnosti duše, a što se očituje u ponašanju prisutnih učenika, kao i Platona.
Neuroscience of religion is a young field of research that aims to explore the relationship betwe... more Neuroscience of religion is a young field of research that aims to explore the relationship between religious experience/belief and the brain. Gradually building all the necessary components that establish and define a scientific discipline, the neuroscience of religion is also encountering its inevitable challenges, as reflected in the subtitle of this conference, inspired by Paul Simon’s song »Bridge Over Troubled Water.«
Just as the core idea of the interdisciplinary »Rijeka Scientific Bridges« conference lies in the concept of bridges connecting separate shores, this conference will connect neuroscientists, psychologists, theologians, and philosophers in the field of neuroscience of religion.
While we hope the conference will move at a more dynamic pace than the mentioned song, the presentations aim to highlight the achievements and opportunities for advancement in this young discipline.
The ninth edition of »Rijeka Scientific Bridges« is a unique scientific event that will bring together local experts from various scientific fields, and international guests from the United States, Poland, Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, Finland, and the Netherlands.
The symposium is also part of the international project »Philosophy of (Neuro)Science and Theology: Understanding Data, Methods, and Results of Neuroscience of Religion,« led by Assoc. Prof. Saša Horvat, Ph.D., and is financially supported by the SET Foundations and the John Templeton Foundation.
The purpose of the symposium is to facilitate a meeting of experts from different scientific fields. These individuals, cognizant of the methodological limitations inherent in their respective approaches, are prepared for a transdisciplinary polylogue. The symposium seeks to showcase that even seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome with a commitment to the pursuit of truth. It acknowledges the possibility of not finding a definitive answer or consensus, a distinctive trait of intellectual honesty; honesty that does not signify surrender but rather encourages even greater perseverance in research.
Conference: ICAIH 2020 THE 3rd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AI HUMANITIES, 2020
The phenomenon of trust underlies human relationships. People trust each other to a certain exten... more The phenomenon of trust underlies human relationships. People trust each other to a certain extent in everyday tasks and joint adventures. Only when our relationship with other human beings is of more importance do we begin to formulate questions such as: how much should we trust the other person, in what way and on what ground is this trust based? Human caution regarding trust was nicely expressed by William Shakespeare when he wrote: “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none” (All's Well That Ends Well). When is comes to artificial intelligence (AI), there is an ongoing debate which questions the possibilities of building trust between human beings and AI... (p. 47 in the document)
Evolutionary theory regarding theology and religion has recently started gaining more attention a... more Evolutionary theory regarding theology and religion has recently started gaining more attention and impact in scientific world. One of the reasons is "the remarkable multiplicity of ways in which evolutionary theory might inform our understanding of religion " (Léon Turner, 2014). Authors from different scientific area are joining forces trying to provide new and confirm existing arguments for the evolutionary explanation of religion, justifying reductive naturalistic approach to the phenomenon of religion...
Sasa Horvat / Georg Northoff, Children and time: philosophical and neuroscientific reflection of ... more Sasa Horvat / Georg Northoff, Children and time: philosophical and neuroscientific reflection of their relationship (conference presentation, international symposium "Riječki znanstveni mostovi", Rijeka, Croatia, 27.10.2017. )
Pitanje svijesti u ovom trenutku jedno je od vodećih pitanja u neuroznanstvenim i filo-zofskim pr... more Pitanje svijesti u ovom trenutku jedno je od vodećih pitanja u neuroznanstvenim i filo-zofskim promišljanjima. Iz suvremene pluralnosti pristupa fenomenu ljudske svijesti, u predavanju želimo predstaviti neurofenomenologiju, čije ćemo glavne ideje pokušati obogatiti promišljanjima filozofa Bernarda Lonergana. U prvom dijelu predavanja ista-knut ćemo problematiku s kojom se susreću neuroznanstvenici kada pokušavaju osmi-sliti istraživački okvir koji će uključiti subjektivnost i neurobiologiju svijesti. Potom ćemo u drugom dijelu ukratko približiti neurofenomenologiju, zajednički pothvat u kojem se približavaju, s jedne strane, uvidi i metode fenomenološkog proučavanja strukture svi-jesti te, s druge strane, empirička istraživanja neuroznanstvenika. Neurofenomenolozi tvrde kako bolji opisi svjesnih subjektivnih iskustava mogu pridonijeti otkriću odgova-rajućih obrazaca dinamičkih aktivnosti na moždanoj razini. Međutim, suočavajući se sa spomenutom problematikom, u potrazi za metodološki što jednostavnijim pristupom, neuroznanstvenici i neurofenomenolozi reduciraju svijest na njezine osnovne pojavne oblike. Zadobivene rezultate, pak, interpretiraju kao da su znanstvenim istraživanjem zahvatili cjelovitu svijest, te u konačnici samosvijest i sebstvo. Stoga se nameće oprav-dano pitanje: na koji način pristupiti strukturama svijesti kako bismo u istraživanjima zadržali cjelovitost ljudske osobe ili barem je uvažili prilikom interpretiranja zadobive-nih podataka? U trećem i glavnom dijelu predavanja izložit ćemo promišljanja filozofa
International symposium "Consciousness: opening of contemporary interdisciplinary polylogue", Rij... more International symposium "Consciousness: opening of contemporary interdisciplinary polylogue", Rijeka, Croatia, 21.10.2016.
International symposium "Philosophy and Religion - Contemporary perspektives", Zagreb, Croatia, 0... more International symposium "Philosophy and Religion - Contemporary perspektives", Zagreb, Croatia, 03. prosinca, 2016.
Sažetak: Činjenica religioznosti, prisutna u svim poznatim oblicima ljudskih društava, u suvremen... more Sažetak: Činjenica religioznosti, prisutna u svim poznatim oblicima ljudskih društava, u suvremenim neuroznanstvenim istraživanjima promatra se kao posljedica specifičnog ustroja bioloških procesa. Iako je ostvaren zapažen napredak u otkrivanju neurobioloških korelata religioznih fenomena, i dalje ostaje otvorenim pitanje povezivanja zadobivenih partikularnih rezultata u teoretski okvir koji će uvažiti bogatstvo i kompleksnost religioznog iskustva. U nastojanju potpunog objašnjenja religioznosti kao takve, vodeća hipoteza drži kako je religioznost posljedica evolucijskog razvoja mozga, pri čemu je osnovni motiv preživljavanje jedinke. Takvi pristupi ne uzimaju u obzir mogućnost vanjskog uzroka (Boga) religioznih fenomena, što se može istaknuti pitanjem »zašto bi mozak evoluirao sustave koji omogućuju ljudima iskusiti nešto što ne postoji?« Nadalje, cjelovitost ljudske osobe, sa svim njezinim sposobnostima, često je zanemarena, te se pojedine sposobnosti, uključujući i religioznost, pripisuju i reduciraju na određene dijelove mozga. Izlaganje će u prvom dijelu izložiti neuroznanstvene hipoteze o religioznosti i određene rezultate takvih istraživanja. Potom ćemo u drugom dijelu iznijeti kritiku istih s naglaskom nužnosti interdisciplinarnog pristupa složenom fenomenu religioznosti.
This book explores and sheds light on the contemporary discourse between science and religion. Em... more This book explores and sheds light on the contemporary discourse between science and religion. Employing the methodological approach of modern science, Overcoming Reductionism aims to explain natural phenomena not in isolation from philosophical or theological interpretations. The book then focuses on the concept of pain. Although pain is a phenomenon familiar to all humans, defining it exclusively in terms of nociception proves challenging. This book therefore delves into the intricate nature of the phenomenon, critically acknowledging the way pain profoundly influences the construction of one's existential meaning, particularly concerning matters of faith.
Keywords: naturalism, reductionism, science-religion, pain, suffering, neuroscience, theodicy, providence, meaning, theology of nature, philosophy of science, body and pain.
The goal of the international project “The Religious Experience of Children with Autism Spectrum ... more The goal of the international project “The Religious Experience of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” led by the Proceedings editors and funded by the New Visions in Theological Anthropology (NViTA) project and the John Templeton Foundation, was to contribute to better interdisciplinary scientific research of religious experience of children on the spectrum, involving a range of scientific disciplines, such as: cognitive science, psychology, medicine, education and rehabilitation sciences, pedagogy, philosophy, theology and many others. This collection of papers is one of the results of this effort and contains the contributions of the keynote speakers of the international scientific workshop “Religious Experience of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Theory and Practice”, held in Rijeka, February 11- 12, 2022. The goal of the workshop was to bring together national and international experts and practitioners who presented their knowledge, methods, experiences, and practical advice for working with children on the spectrum in the context of religion, religious experience, and practice.
Cilj međunarodnog projekta „The religious experience of children with autism spectrum disorder“ k... more Cilj međunarodnog projekta „The religious experience of children with autism spectrum disorder“ kojega vode urednici Zbornika pod pokroviteljstvom projekta „New Visions in Theological Anthropology (NViTA)“ i John Templeton Foundation, bio je nizom projektnih aktivnosti pridonijeti boljem interdisciplinarnom znanstvenom istraživanju religioznog iskustva djece iz spektra autizma, uključujući čitav niz disciplina, kao što su: kognitivna znanost, medicina, edukacijsko-rehabilitacijske znanosti, pedagogija, filozofija, teologija te brojne druge. Zbornik radova donosi radove glavnih predavača na međunarodnoj znanstvenoj radionici „Religiozno iskustvo osoba s poremećajem iz spektra autizma: teorija i praksa“, koja se održala od 11. do 12. veljače 2022. godine u Rijeci. Radionica je imala za cilj okupiti domaće i međunarodne stručnjake i praktikante, koji su okupljenima predstavili svoje spoznaje, metode, iskustva i praktične savjete u radu s djecom iz spektra autizma, a u kontekstu religije, religioznog iskustva i prakticiranja vjere.
Introduction to the topic of the conference In the year when the City of Rijeka holds the honorar... more Introduction to the topic of the conference In the year when the City of Rijeka holds the honorary title of European Capital of Culture (ECOC 2020) and when creative attention is primarily focused on the phenomenon of culture, the ffth edition of the international interdisciplinary conference „Rijeka Scientifc Bridges“ (RZM5) raises a challenging topic - what will the City of the future look like? In this way, RZM5 joins the reflection on topics close to the ECOC 2020. Lecturers from various scientifc and academic disciplines consider a number of important determinants and topics of the City of the Future, such as: the city in the service of the citizen, the citizen in the service of the city; evolution of urban forms - uniformity between tradition and development; the problem of overcrowded cities and empty villages; connectivity and infrastructure of cities - solidarity that includes all layers of citizens; new technologies and the design of „smart“ cities; the city as a living organism - inclusiveness, security, health and freedom; tourism and the city; ecology and the city - green oases and dumps; spirituality and religious spaces within the city; religious events in the City. Te aim of the conference is to offer a vision of important future determinants of the City, which will help the local and regional community in planning and designing their own future activities. Organizing committee: Dr. Saša Horvat Dr. Amir Muzur Dr. Piotr Roszak Dr. Michal Valčo Dr. Nenad Malović Dr. Franjo Mijatović Dr. Mario Tomljanović
The scientific articles gathered in this book, and titled: “The search
for identity and its pasto... more The scientific articles gathered in this book, and titled: “The search for identity and its pastoral challenges” are a collection of works created by members of the international scientific Polish-Croatian Summer School on John Paul II and his legacy, likewise titled – “The search for identity and its pastoral challenges”. The Polish – Croatian Summer School, held from July 15 to 22, 2018 in Toruń, Poland – was organized by the Faculty of Theology at the University of Nicolaus Copernicus (Toruń, Poland) and Theology in Rijeka, an extension centre of the Catholic Faculty of Theology at the University of Zagreb in Croatia...
The abstracts of international interdisciplinary conference "Rijeka’s scientific bridges 3", Rije... more The abstracts of international interdisciplinary conference "Rijeka’s scientific bridges 3", Rijeka (9.11.2018.).
Riječ je o istraživanju fenomena zaborava (Vergessenheit) u Martina Heideggera i to poglavito z... more Riječ je o istraživanju fenomena zaborava (Vergessenheit) u Martina Heideggera i to poglavito zaborava kao oznake bitka u odlučujućoj misli zaborava bitka (Seinsvergessenheit). Istraživanje je metodom komparacije i sinteze prikazalo u kojim se smjerovima fenomen zaborava razvija u cjelokupnom Heideggerovu opusu. U knjizi se donosi poglavlje "Zaborav i vrijeme" doktorske disertacije.
On 26 November, Saša Horvat (University of Zagreb) will deliver a talk entitled “Contemporary Sci... more On 26 November, Saša Horvat (University of Zagreb) will deliver a talk entitled “Contemporary Scientific Explanations of Religion: Problems and Perspectives” for the HPP/Ian Ramsey Centre's (University of Oxford) 2019-2020 seminar series.
The last few decades have been marked by numerous scientific studies and projects on human religiosity in the interdisciplinary area shared by neuroscience, cognitive science and evolutionary science. The question arises can empirical research contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of religiosity in the field of theology and philosophy?
If the answer is negative, then we need to see what the problems are. If the answer is positive, then we need to see what the perspectives of joint research are. The lecture will briefly analyse the main hypotheses and methods of the above-mentioned sciences, after which we will try to understand whether these insights can be useful to theology and philosophy and what further development we can expect in the near future.
If science changes the way we see the world/reality, if technology changes the relationship betwe... more If science changes the way we see the world/reality, if technology changes the relationship between people - do then science and technology also change the way we perceive God and world as his creation?
The contemporary interdisciplinary dialogue between theology, philosophy, and science regarding t... more The contemporary interdisciplinary dialogue between theology, philosophy, and science regarding the question “What is the human being?”, often results in misunderstandings and mutual exclusion. These disagreements have a great influence not only on the academic community and scientists, but also in the public sphere. The reason for disagreement could be found in different interpretations and understanding of the fundamental human capabilities: faith and reason. Neuroscientific findings brought new perspectives and enabled new ways of understanding the human being and his capabilities, deeply challenging philosophical and theological insights. Though 20 years have passed since the publication of „Fides et ratio“ by Saint John Paul II., the encyclical continues to provide concrete and sound principles of understanding the relationship between faith and reason, which can be used to enable and strengthen the necessary interdisciplinary dialogue. In the first part of the lecture, we will try to highlight different approaches, methods, and boundaries in an attempt to understand the human being. In the second part we will try to provide arguments that, despite the differences, the dialogue is still possible.
Teološki četvrtak Kršćanske sadašnjosti o odnosu neuroznanosti i teologije s podnaslovom " Od sli... more Teološki četvrtak Kršćanske sadašnjosti o odnosu neuroznanosti i teologije s podnaslovom " Od slike Božje do neurona i natrag " u mjesecu travnju, zbog spriječenosti predavača da se održi tradicija posljednjeg četvrtka u mjesecu, održao se u srijedu, 26. travnja, a ipak mu se odazvao velik broj zainteresiranih, i odmah recimo – pripremljenih i dobro informiranih, slušatelja. Uvodeći u susret na kojem su uvodna izlaganja izrekli akademik Ivica Kostović i prof. dr. sc. Saša Horvat, moderator don Anton Šuljić, rekao je kako zahvaljujući novim otkrićima upoznajemo nove osobine ljudskoga mozga. Živčani sustav, otkrivamo, ima sposobnost rekonstrukcije neuronskih krugova za koje sve donedavno gotovo da nismo znali. Podatljivost kojom se on može modificirati i prilagođivati omogućuje terapijske transformacije mentalnoga i psihičkoga u čovjeku. Pojavljuju se različite teorije, posebice što se tiče sposobnosti svijesti da ublažava bol, proizvodi sreću, mir, ljubav. Istraživanja su sve intenzivnija te predlažu nove hipoteze odmjenjujući zastarjele iz kojih su nastale. Teško je znati gdje smo doista u svemu tome. U nekoliko desetljeća neuroznanost je pokrenula važan razvoj u istraživanju ne samo mozga, nego i psihologije, procesuiranja emocija, života u zajednici. Posve je sigurno: aktualna neuroznanost upravo mijenja način na koji opažamo, vidimo i zamišljamo čovjeka i naš svijet. A samim time utječe i na to kako shvaćamo naš odnos prema Bogu, naše razumijevanje i naš govor o Bogu. To je, rekao je Šuljić, i razlog održavanja ove tribine, tim više što smo u Hrvatskoj, kad je u pitanju suodnos teologije i neuroznanosti, još negdje na počecima. Nadovezujući se na taj Šuljićev uvod akademik Kostović, znanstvenik koji je u nas pa i u svijetu jedan od najpriznatijih na području neuroznanosti, odnosno istraživanju mozga, utemeljitelj i ravnatelj Hrvatskoga instituta za istraživanje mozga, predavač na prestižnim europskim i američkim sveučilištima i dobitnik mnogih nagrada za svoj znanstveni i društveni rad (jer je bio i ministar znanosti odnosno potpredsjednik Hrvatske vlade) zornim je i vrlo živim riječima i nastupom, uz slikovno prikazivanje funkcija mozga, dao pregled funkcija mozga naglasivši na početku da se nada kako će njegovo izlaganje " vjernicima pomoći da još više vjeruju u Boga, a znanstvenicima da se zapitaju znaju li zaista sve o tom području ". Da je netko prije dvadeset godina predložio da se istražuje biološka podloga svijesti, ili da se istražuje biološku podlogu uma – ne bi dobio projekt i to bi propalo, istaknuo je predavač. " Možda bi to tada mogli postići samo nobelovci, ali danas se to promijenilo. Sad je, međutim, ovo područje ključno za one koji se odvaže proučavati neuroznanost. Prije 2002. godine Europska unija objavila je natječaj o temi 'Što nas čini ljudima?'. I samo su se dvije grupe javile na taj natječaj, jedan psihijatar i još jedan drugi istraživač. Riječ je o teškoći istraživanja koje se moralo temeljiti na dokazima. Mene je zanimalo što je to posebno u mozgu što imamo mi kao ljudi, a nemaju životinje. No, to nije uopće lak posao jer postoji grupa istraživača koja čovjeku neće priznati nikakvu posebnost u odnosu prema, recimo, gusjenici pri čemu je, kažu oni, čovjek samo nešto složenija verzija gusjenice. Jer i gusjenica ima transmitere kao i mi pa se teško probiti s idejom da je čovjek nešto posebno. Donedavno je bila nepoznata teorija uma, tj. čovjeku je posebno to da može razumjeti misli i namjere drugih ljudi. On se na neki način stavlja u njihovu ulogu, a to se počinje razvija u četvrtoj godini
Teološki četvrtak Kršćanske sadašnjosti o odnosu neuroznanosti i teologije s podnaslovom " Od sli... more Teološki četvrtak Kršćanske sadašnjosti o odnosu neuroznanosti i teologije s podnaslovom " Od slike Božje do neurona i natrag " u mjesecu travnju, zbog spriječenosti predavača da se održi tradicija posljednjeg četvrtka u mjesecu, održao se u srijedu, 26. travnja, a ipak mu se odazvao velik broj zainteresiranih, i odmah recimo – pripremljenih i dobro informiranih, slušatelja. Uvodeći u susret na kojem su uvodna izlaganja izrekli akademik Ivica Kostović i prof. dr. sc. Saša Horvat, moderator don Anton Šuljić, rekao je kako zahvaljujući novim otkrićima upoznajemo nove osobine ljudskoga mozga. Živčani sustav, otkrivamo, ima sposobnost rekonstrukcije neuronskih krugova za koje sve donedavno gotovo da nismo znali. Podatljivost kojom se on može modificirati i prilagođivati omogućuje terapijske transformacije mentalnoga i psihičkoga u čovjeku. Pojavljuju se različite teorije, posebice što se tiče sposobnosti svijesti da ublažava bol, proizvodi sreću, mir, ljubav. Istraživanja su sve intenzivnija te predlažu nove hipoteze odmjenjujući zastarjele iz kojih su nastale. Teško je znati gdje smo doista u svemu tome. U nekoliko desetljeća neuroznanost je pokrenula važan razvoj u istraživanju ne samo mozga, nego i psihologije, procesuiranja emocija, života u zajednici. Posve je sigurno: aktualna neuroznanost upravo mijenja način na koji opažamo, vidimo i zamišljamo čovjeka i naš svijet. A samim time utječe i na to kako shvaćamo naš odnos prema Bogu, naše razumijevanje i naš govor o Bogu. To je, rekao je Šuljić, i razlog održavanja ove tribine, tim više što smo u Hrvatskoj, kad je u pitanju suodnos teologije i neuroznanosti, još negdje na počecima. Nadovezujući se na taj Šuljićev uvod akademik Kostović, znanstvenik koji je u nas pa i u svijetu jedan od najpriznatijih na području neuroznanosti, odnosno istraživanju mozga, utemeljitelj i ravnatelj Hrvatskoga instituta za istraživanje mozga, predavač na prestižnim europskim i američkim sveučilištima i dobitnik mnogih nagrada za svoj znanstveni i društveni rad (jer je bio i ministar znanosti odnosno potpredsjednik Hrvatske vlade) zornim je i vrlo živim riječima i nastupom, uz slikovno prikazivanje funkcija mozga, dao pregled funkcija mozga naglasivši na početku da se nada kako će njegovo izlaganje " vjernicima pomoći da još više vjeruju u Boga, a znanstvenicima da se zapitaju znaju li zaista sve o tom području ". Da je netko prije dvadeset godina predložio da se istražuje biološka podloga svijesti, ili da se istražuje biološku podlogu uma – ne bi dobio projekt i to bi propalo, istaknuo je predavač. " Možda bi to tada mogli postići samo nobelovci, ali danas se to promijenilo. Sad je, međutim, ovo područje ključno za one koji se odvaže proučavati neuroznanost. Prije 2002. godine Europska unija objavila je natječaj o temi 'Što nas čini ljudima?'. I samo su se dvije grupe javile na taj natječaj, jedan psihijatar i još jedan drugi istraživač. Riječ je o teškoći istraživanja koje se moralo temeljiti na dokazima. Mene je zanimalo što je to posebno u mozgu što imamo mi kao ljudi, a nemaju životinje. No, to nije uopće lak posao jer postoji grupa istraživača koja čovjeku neće priznati nikakvu posebnost u odnosu prema, recimo, gusjenici pri čemu je, kažu oni, čovjek samo nešto složenija verzija gusjenice. Jer i gusjenica ima transmitere kao i mi pa se teško probiti s idejom da je čovjek nešto posebno. Donedavno je bila nepoznata teorija uma, tj. čovjeku je posebno to da može razumjeti misli i namjere drugih ljudi. On se na neki način stavlja u njihovu ulogu, a to se počinje razvija u četvrtoj godini
European Journal for the Study of Thomas Aquinas, 2020
Domenic D’Ettore, Analogy after Aquinas: Logical Problems, Thomistic Answers (Washington D.C.: Ca... more Domenic D’Ettore, Analogy after Aquinas: Logical Problems, Thomistic Answers (Washington D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 2019)
One of the dangers that threatens vitality of philosophy and theology is the prejudice that certain topics are self-understandable once and for all. This implies a clear insight into the emergence, development and final clarification of the topic into the current structure that makes it then accessible for application. This is also sometimes at stake with the question of analogy, which is then handled in an unquestioned manner, enabling a shortcut way to operationalization of this fundamental way of communicating the relation between God and creatures...
We are pleased to invite academics and practitioners to the International Conference "Challenges ... more We are pleased to invite academics and practitioners to the International Conference "Challenges to religious identity in public life-between art and medicine", which is scheduled for November 4-5, 2021 at the John Paul II Centre of Dialogue in Toruń, Poland. The conference will take place over the course of two days in an environment conducive to both scholarly reflection and discussion. The respect and protection of religious identity in public life is currently one of the most pressing global concerns. Many religious groups and individuals around the world struggle with persecutions and restrictions on religious freedom. This crisis raises many questions concerning the right balance between freedoms, which entangle with the right to practice one's religion or beliefs individually and collectively-both privately and publicly. The COVID-19 pandemic, which is a turning point in history, has brought additional and unprecedented limitations on many fundamental rights, including religious freedom. The aim of the conference, which will feature many legal, philosophical, theological, medical and art experts, is to provide a better understanding of current challenges, opportunities and responsibilities related to the complex nature of religious liberty in public life, perceived from different perspectives. https://laboratoriumwolnosci.pl/en/call-for-paper-en/
Together with dr Sasa Horvat (University of Zagreb, Croatia), I would like to invite to contribut... more Together with dr Sasa Horvat (University of Zagreb, Croatia), I would like to invite to contribute to the special issue of the journal "Religions": https://www.mdpi.com/journal/religions/special_issues/tcs_gee
What were the origins of life and of the human species? Did they require a direct divine intervention? Or maybe natural conditions and causes were sufficient for these major transitions in the history and evolution of the universe to occur? Was the created order always accompanied by the possibility or even inevitability of natural (physical) evil? And what about the experience of suffering, pain, and evil of human beings – in the face of the Christian conviction about the infinite goodness and power of God the Creator?
Answers to these questions have always sought to follow and welcome insights from various disciplines of human knowledge. However, with the increasing importance and growing challenges coming from empirical sciences, and evolutionary theories in particular, theological reflections on the origins and theodicy seem to have retreated to a more cautious and reserved position. One might argue they approach contemporary science from a secure, more metaphysical point of view. Sometimes they may even be at danger of holding too tightly to overly dogmatic philosophical-theological presuppositions and conclusions, regardless of both inspirations and difficulties raised by the contemporary scientific view of the reality.
This special issue titled “Science-Engaged Approach to Origins and Theodicy: Old Questions, New Horizons” seeks to encourage authors to make a more direct use of scientific knowledge in addressing some of the old and new questions concerning the origins and theodicy. This implies the use of scientific knowledge as an auxiliary tool that can contribute to a better understanding of certain theological topics. Can evolutionary anthropology help us to understand better the original state of first humans? Should population genetics have a decisive impact on mono- versus -polygenism debate? Can evolutionary medical understanding of pain be helpful in addressing the topic of pain in theodicy? Can psychological insights on suffering be of help when we think about suffering of humans? How can we use insights from cognitive science in the study of our behavior and moral development?
Following in the footsteps of the emerging science-engaged theology initiative, we are trying to move away from the popular methodology applied in science/theology dialogue, where philosophical-theological discourse is developed in parallel to science, with rather unique and rare cases of a true intersection. A par excellence example of what we have in mind is St. Thomas Aquinas, who integrated into his reflection the scientific knowledge of his time, thinking about theology a as supervisor who cares and reflects on the content and direction of all divisions of knowledge, for the good of humankind and its relationship with God.
All contributions that seek to reflect on various aspects of origins and theodicy in more direct reference to scientific knowledge are welcomed.
Dr. Piotr Roszak Dr. Saša Horvat Dr. Mariusz Tabaczek Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Uploads
Papers by Saša Horvat
the subtitle of this conference, inspired by Paul Simon’s song »Bridge Over Troubled Water.«
Just as the core idea of the interdisciplinary »Rijeka Scientific Bridges« conference lies in the concept of bridges connecting separate shores, this conference will connect neuroscientists, psychologists, theologians, and philosophers in
the field of neuroscience of religion.
While we hope the conference will move at a more dynamic pace than the mentioned song, the presentations aim to highlight the achievements and opportunities for advancement in this young discipline.
The ninth edition of »Rijeka Scientific Bridges« is a unique scientific event that will bring together local experts from various scientific fields, and international guests from the United States, Poland, Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, Finland, and the Netherlands.
The symposium is also part of the international project »Philosophy of (Neuro)Science and Theology: Understanding Data, Methods, and Results of Neuroscience of Religion,« led by Assoc. Prof. Saša Horvat, Ph.D., and is financially supported by the SET Foundations and the John Templeton Foundation.
The purpose of the symposium is to facilitate a meeting of experts from different scientific fields. These individuals, cognizant of the methodological limitations inherent in their respective approaches, are prepared for a transdisciplinary polylogue. The symposium seeks to showcase that even seemingly insurmountable
obstacles can be overcome with a commitment to the pursuit of truth. It
acknowledges the possibility of not finding a definitive answer or consensus, a distinctive trait of intellectual honesty; honesty that does not signify surrender but rather encourages even greater perseverance in research.
Keywords: naturalism, reductionism, science-religion, pain, suffering, neuroscience, theodicy, providence, meaning, theology of nature, philosophy of science, body and pain.
for identity and its pastoral challenges” are a collection of works created
by members of the international scientific Polish-Croatian Summer
School on John Paul II and his legacy, likewise titled – “The search
for identity and its pastoral challenges”.
The Polish – Croatian Summer School, held from July 15 to 22,
2018 in Toruń, Poland – was organized by the Faculty of Theology at
the University of Nicolaus Copernicus (Toruń, Poland) and Theology
in Rijeka, an extension centre of the Catholic Faculty of Theology at
the University of Zagreb in Croatia...
The last few decades have been marked by numerous scientific studies and projects on human religiosity in the interdisciplinary area shared by neuroscience, cognitive science and evolutionary science. The question arises can empirical research contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of religiosity in the field of theology and philosophy?
If the answer is negative, then we need to see what the problems are. If the answer is positive, then we need to see what the perspectives of joint research are. The lecture will briefly analyse the main hypotheses and methods of the above-mentioned sciences, after which we will try to understand whether these insights can be useful to theology and philosophy and what further development we can expect in the near future.
disagreements have a great influence not only on the academic community and scientists, but also in the public sphere. The reason for disagreement could be found in different interpretations and understanding of the fundamental human capabilities: faith and reason. Neuroscientific findings brought new perspectives and enabled new ways of understanding the human being and his capabilities, deeply
challenging philosophical and theological insights. Though 20 years have passed since the publication of „Fides et ratio“ by Saint John Paul II., the encyclical continues to provide concrete and sound principles of understanding the relationship between faith and reason, which can be used to enable and strengthen the necessary interdisciplinary dialogue. In the first part of the lecture, we will try to highlight different approaches, methods, and boundaries in an attempt to understand the human being. In the second part we will try to provide arguments that, despite the differences, the dialogue is still possible.
One of the dangers that threatens vitality of philosophy and theology is the prejudice that certain topics are self-understandable once and for all. This implies a clear insight into the emergence, development and final clarification of the topic into the current structure that makes it then accessible for application. This is also sometimes at stake with the question of analogy, which is then handled in an unquestioned manner, enabling a shortcut way to operationalization of this fundamental way of communicating the relation between God and creatures...
https://laboratoriumwolnosci.pl/en/call-for-paper-en/
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Dear Colleagues,
What were the origins of life and of the human species? Did they require a direct divine intervention? Or maybe natural conditions and causes were sufficient for these major transitions in the history and evolution of the universe to occur? Was the created order always accompanied by the possibility or even inevitability of natural (physical) evil? And what about the experience of suffering, pain, and evil of human beings – in the face of the Christian conviction about the infinite goodness and power of God the Creator?
Answers to these questions have always sought to follow and welcome insights from various disciplines of human knowledge. However, with the increasing importance and growing challenges coming from empirical sciences, and evolutionary theories in particular, theological reflections on the origins and theodicy seem to have retreated to a more cautious and reserved position. One might argue they approach contemporary science from a secure, more metaphysical point of view. Sometimes they may even be at danger of holding too tightly to overly dogmatic philosophical-theological presuppositions and conclusions, regardless of both inspirations and difficulties raised by the contemporary scientific view of the reality.
This special issue titled “Science-Engaged Approach to Origins and Theodicy: Old Questions, New Horizons” seeks to encourage authors to make a more direct use of scientific knowledge in addressing some of the old and new questions concerning the origins and theodicy. This implies the use of scientific knowledge as an auxiliary tool that can contribute to a better understanding of certain theological topics. Can evolutionary anthropology help us to understand better the original state of first humans? Should population genetics have a decisive impact on mono- versus -polygenism debate? Can evolutionary medical understanding of pain be helpful in addressing the topic of pain in theodicy? Can psychological insights on suffering be of help when we think about suffering of humans? How can we use insights from cognitive science in the study of our behavior and moral development?
Following in the footsteps of the emerging science-engaged theology initiative, we are trying to move away from the popular methodology applied in science/theology dialogue, where philosophical-theological discourse is developed in parallel to science, with rather unique and rare cases of a true intersection. A par excellence example of what we have in mind is St. Thomas Aquinas, who integrated into his reflection the scientific knowledge of his time, thinking about theology a as supervisor who cares and reflects on the content and direction of all divisions of knowledge, for the good of humankind and its relationship with God.
All contributions that seek to reflect on various aspects of origins and theodicy in more direct reference to scientific knowledge are welcomed.
Dr. Piotr Roszak
Dr. Saša Horvat
Dr. Mariusz Tabaczek
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.