The Problem of Evolution

An International Conference on

Biological Evolution: Facts and Theories
A Critical Appraisal 150 Years After "The Origin of Species"

Pontifical Gregorian University
Rome, 3-7 March 2009

These last few years have seen the growth of several intense, and at times heated, debates on Evolution that have involved scientists, philosophers and theologians. The repercussions of those debates have been heard on several occasions in the mass media and have involved the public as well.  Frequently it appeared that the debates were the expression of true ideological positions: on the one hand, an antireligious metaphysical evolutionism; on the other hand, fundamentalist conceptions that highlighted a misconstrued “creationism” or the so-called “Intelligent Design.”

In this regard, it is necessary to remember the important speech of John Paul II, given on 22 October 1996, to the Members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in the Plenary Assembly, regarding the theories of evolution. The speech was based on the legitimate autonomy of science, proclaimed by the constitution “Gaudium et Spes” of Vatican II (cf. n. 36). Benedict XVI, in his speech to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences of 6 November 2006, deeply pondered that last question, highlighting the specific role of philosophy and theology in this matter.

We recall the words of Cardinal Paul Poupard, in one of his interviews in which he commented on John Paul II’s speech of 22 October 1996.  He distinguished between the theory of evolution and ideological evolutionism. In fact, the first one is much more complex and articulated than the two factions above would like to admit. 

Today, thanks to recent discoveries, we can reconsider the problem of evolution with a broader perspective in comparison to the traditional neo-darwinism. In particular, we refer to the role of epigenetical mechanisms in evolution as well as to new developments produced by the theory of complexity and by the study of incidence on the environment of living species, especially in regards to the value and significance of intelligent behaviour. In this context, which witnesses the intertwining of several fields of knowledge, an appropriate consideration is needed more than ever before.

For this reason, the Gregorian Pontifical University, in collaboration with Notre Dame University (Indiana, USA), with the sponsorship of the Pontifical Council for Culture and within the STOQ Project (Science, Theology and the Ontological Quest), will organize from 3 to 7 March 2009, an international conference on the theories of Evolution. The conference is organized into sections which will first present those facts that are known, then it will expand on the scientific theories that try to explain evolutionary mechanisms, on humanization, on philosophical questions and finally on the theological issues about Evolution.

The conference is supported, in partnership with the Fondazione Blaise Pascal, by the Associazione Scienza e Fede, which aims to promote, at the university level, the interaction in the distinction between positive sciences, philosophy and theology, contributing in this way to a true dialogue between Science and Faith.