a conference for
graduate students,
faculty, and
professionals

Interdisciplinary Panels
Offered for scientists, mathematicians, and philosphers

During track time on Tuesday, December 31, we presented a special opportunity for delegates in the Natural Sciences & Math track and for the philosophers within the Humanities track: a trio of interdisciplinary panels tackling crucial scientific and philosophical topics. The three options are laid out below, with the names of their respective panelists, who were drawn from among the presenters of these two tracks and the Theology & Religious Studies track.

Mind, brain, and soul: what are human persons (made in the imago Dei)?

Moderator: Peter Payne (Graduate & Faculty Ministries, IVCF)

Panelists: Timothy O'Connor (philosophy, Indiana University), William Newsome (neuroscience, Stanford University), and Ben Witherington (New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary)

The world as object of scientific study and as construct of human culture and language

Panelists: William Lane Craig (philosophy, Biola University), Catherine Crouch (physics, Harvard), and James Smith (philosophy, Calvin College)

Available online:

Smith, James K. A. "Science, Perspectivalism, and Christian Faith: Jacques Derrida Meets Ken Ham" (Acrobat document, 110K).

Genetics, artificial reproductive technologies, ethics, and the sanctity of human life

Panelists: Nigel Cameron (Wilberforce Forum), James Marcum (philosophy, Baylor University), and Michael Murray (philosophy, Franklin & Marshall College)

Available online:

Murray, Michael. "Comments for Panel on Genetics, Artificial Reproductive Technologies, Ethics, and the Sanctity of Human Life" (Acrobat document, 63K).

For more information about these two tracks' curricula in general, see the overview, leaders, and resources pages for the Humanities and for Natural Sciences & Math. To see where this session fit into our days, you can download the detailed conference schedule in Acrobat format (55K).