Twenty years of science, technology and religion

The Hana and Francisco Ayala Chair in Science, Technology and Religion has just celebrated its first 20 years, in which research and dissemination have been its main goals. That is why we wanted to celebrate it as it deserves: with a conference by Dirk Evers on the main emerging debates in the science-religion context, and a panoramic view of Teilhard de Chardin's contribution on the centenary of the publication of his work 'The Mass on the World'.

“There have been technological and social changes in the chair these past 20 years, and some challenges that not only require the best science and technology available, but a philosophical, anthropological and ethical reflection. This is where, in our opinion, theology can make a significant contribution, as a facilitator of dialogue, as an expert in humanity, and as an unveiler of false idolatrous proposals," explains Jaime Tatay, SJ, co-director of the chair.

For her part, Sara Lumbreras, co-director of the chair with Tatay, claims that the chair is more necessary than ever, as there are few spaces for interdisciplinary reflection. “Technique and humanist and spiritual reflection need to go hand in hand to enrich each other and find consensual political solutions in an increasingly polarised world", he reflects.

The Chair has been very active. It has published works of great interest in the field of science, technology and religion. Together with Sal Terrae (Loyola Communication Group), Comillas and the chair have published up to 29 multidisciplinary studies, the latest of which is Darwin's gift to science and religion (2022), a posthumous publication by Francisco Ayala in which we find the postulates and connections between the science of evolution and the Christian religion.

"With our publications, we encourage and maintain openness to the spiritual dimensions of reality and a fuller sense of the meaning of life". Sal Tarrae explains that "these works are difficult to find in Spanish and very valuable, because their content revolves around the search for answers to the great questions of life through science, philosophy and theology".