21st International Interdisciplinary Seminar
3 – 5 January 2019
Organised by: The Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (Zürich and Geneva) and Netherhall House (London)
Science and Society: Defining what is human
- Experimental science relies on observation. Can there be observation without the human observer, including his or her five senses?
- If the universe only starts with our observations, is then the Big Bang here?
- Free-will and personal identity logically precede the formulation of scientific theories. Are rationality and science without free-will and consciousness even possible?
- Experiments in neuroscience are persistently referred to in popular media as demonstrating that we make our decisions unconsciously. Do these results actually achieve what is claimed, and do they exclude responsible behaviour?
- The Multiverse: Hypothesis of atheism or parable of God’s omniscience?
- Arguably, the beginning of humanity cannot be established exclusively by genetic evolutionary means. What are the anthropological implications of these limitations?
- Human creativity cannot be reduced to deterministic computing. Could it however be reduced to quantum computing? And what is quantum computing after all?
- Can we define what is human without referring to moral responsibility and sense of law?
- Transhumanism: what are the possibilities and dangers of “improving” humanity?
- Do human beings need to make sense of the whole depth of their experience?
Thu 3rd January — Visit to Oxford with scientific sessions
Fri 4th January — Academic sessions in London (including standing-lunch and coffee breaks), 10.00 – 18.00 h.
Sat 5th January — Academic sessions in London (including standing-lunch and coffee breaks), 10.00 – 18.00 h.
Venue
Netherhall House, Nutley Terrace, London NW3 5SA
Costs
£70 for participation to the Academic Sessions, two standing-lunches and coffee breaks. Excursion to Oxford and accommodation are not included.
Pre-registration
If you are interested in attending, please contact enquiries@nh.netherhall.org.uk. This will ensure that you receive further information about the Conference as it becomes available.
Accommodation
All participants are kindly requested to make their own accommodation arrangements. Affordable accommodation can be found at:
- Palmers Lodge, Swiss Cottage (only five minutes walk away from the venue of the Conference).
- Netherhall House (Please note that Netherhall can offer accommodation only for male participants).
Submission of papers
Authors are invited to submit a 100 word abstract to Antoine Suarez (suarez@leman.ch).
Schedule
30th Apr 2018 — First Announcement and first Call
15th Sep 2018 — Pre-registration deadline
15th Oct 2018 — Final Call with preliminary program
22nd Oct 2018 — Submission of abstracts
3 – 5 Jan 2019 — Seminar
Freedom and Equality: a Christian approach
In 1789, the French Revolution ushered a new era under the banner of freedom, equality and fraternity. Two centuries later there is considerable conflict between the advocates of equality (marriage equality, gender equality, free access to medical procedures, non-discrimination) and the advocates of freedom (freedom of expression, artistic freedom, freedom to dissent, conscientious objection).
The Church in particular is seen as in favour of discrimination, and against giving equal treatment in employment, goods and services to all people regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Are Christians to have these “freedoms” or should there be restrictions on what are seen as bigoted beliefs? This seminar seeks to explore the different aspects of the perceived battle between freedom and equality to try to see if the two can work together as partners rather than rivals.
Topics of the seminar
- Can Christian schools continue to teach only about traditional marriage?
- Employers who campaign for changes in marriage laws and rights of employees to dissent
- Catholic agencies and the laws on gay marriage and gay adoption
- Bakers or florists refusing their products for gay weddings
- Banning of psychotherapy for gay people who wish to live a straight or celibate life
- Banning of medical care for children with gender dysphoria which is not affirmative therapy
- Safe spaces and trigger warnings at universities
- Banning of religious signs or clothing in the workplace
- Anti-discrimination and equality legislation: intended and unintended outcomes
- Should the state keep funding faith schools or should all state schools be secular?
- Is religious freedom more than freedom of worship?
- Conscientious objection in healthcare: abortion, euthanasia, contraception, etc.
- Equal access of women to the workplace, and gender preferences
- The role of civil society as an intermediary between the state and the individual
Sessions
Fri 4th January — Academic sessions in London (including standing-lunch and coffee breaks), 10.00 – 18.00 h.
Sat 5th January — Academic sessions in London (including standing-lunch and coffee breaks), 10.00 – 18.00 h.
Netherhall House, Nutley Terrace, London NW3 5SA
Costs
£70 for participation to the Academic Sessions, two standing-lunches and coffee breaks. Excursion to Oxford and accommodation are not included.
Pre-registration
If you are interested in attending, please contact enquiries@nh.netherhall.org.uk. This will ensure that you receive further information about the Conference as it becomes available. Accommodation All participants are kindly requested to make their own accommodation arrangements. Affordable accommodation can be found at:
- Palmers Lodge, Swiss Cottage (only five minutes walk away from the venue of the Conference).
- Netherhall House (Please note that Netherhall can offer accommodation only for male participants).
Submission of papers
Participants are invited to submit a mail to Jack Valero (jack.valero@me.com).
Schedule 4 – 5 Jan 2019 — Seminar