Extra Series

Current Scientific Knowledge on Cosmic Evolution and Biological Evolution

Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on the Occasion of their Plenary Session and Statement by the PAS
Extra Series 33
Vatican City, 2008
pp. 26

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Statement – ... The chosen subject is very topical for the sciences as well as for philosophy and theology and it is also of relevance for the general public. A majority of the lectures and debates concentrated on presenting contemporary scientific insights into the evolutionary processes and on integrating these insights into our common world-view. The Academy also provided a platform for a discussion on the relationship between acquired scientific knowledge and other branches of knowledge, including a philosophical approach and traditional wisdom such as that to be found in Biblical writings. ...

W. Arber with N. Cabibbo, P. Léna, Y. Manin, J. Mittelstrass, W. Phillips, P. Raven, I. Rodríguez-Iturbe, M. Singer, W. Singer, A. Szczeklik, R. Vicuña, and A. Zichichi

Summary – ... The Academy offered a unique setting and intellectual climate for the chosen topic, which is of burning interest – and an occasional source of dispute – for scientists, philosophers, and theologians alike, as well as for the general public. It was particularly valuable to have representatives of all major scientific disciplines and of philosophy and theology gathered together and exchanging views in an atmosphere of intellectual freedom and mutual respect. ...