Dr. David Chiang, an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, discusses what large language models (LLMs) can or can’t do in a presentation at the 2024 Society of Catholic Scientists annual meeting. Dr. Chiang’s research is in natural language processing, the subfield of computer science that aims to enable computers to understand and produce human language. In this timely talk, he examines how LLMs operate, the current limits of LLMs, and whether these limitations can be overcome by future developments in the field.
Dr. Daniel Kuebler, a Professor of Biology at Franciscan University, talks about his recent book, Darwin and Doctrine: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism, which was published by Word on Fire Press. He and Dr. Stephen Barr discuss the order that undergirds the evolutionary process, the similarities between evolutionary history and Salvation history, and how best to understand the origin of man in light of both modern science and Catholic teaching. Dr. Kuebler gives an overview of why he wrote the book and why it is critical to provide resources for those who are under the impression that the science of evolution and the Catholic Faith are in conflict.
Here is a link to the book in the Word on Fire bookstore.
Dr. Nowak, a Professor of Biology and Mathematics at Harvard University, discusses his thoughts on evolution and particularly the role of cooperation in the evolutionary process. He examines how evolution is both ordered and mathematical, which points toward the existence of a rational God who stands behind the evolutionary process.
Dr. Nowak's research focuses on the mathematical description of evolutionary processes, including the evolution of cooperation and human language, as well as the dynamics of virus infections and human cancer. He is also the author of two recent books published by Angelico Press. Within offers a poetic reflection on the intersection of science, mathematics, philosophy, and theology. The second book Beyond is a philosophical quest folded into an epic exploration of the world.
Dr. Nowak, a Professor of Biology and Mathematics at Harvard University, discusses his thoughts on the nature of mathematics as the language of science. He examines how the truths of mathematics point to the existence of immaterial realities and how mathematics reflects the mind of God.
Dr. Nowak's research focuses on the mathematical description of evolutionary processes, including the evolution of cooperation and human language, as well as the dynamics of virus infections and human cancer. He is also the author of two recent books published by Angelico Press. Within offers a poetic reflection on the intersection of science, mathematics, philosophy, and theology. The second book Beyond is a philosophical quest folded into an epic exploration of the world.
Dr. Stephen Barr, the President of the Society of Catholic Scientists and author of Modern Physics and Ancient Faith, discusses the history of the interaction between science and Christianity in the West. In particular, he discusses how the Catholic Church fostered the growth of science from the Middle Ages onward as well as how the myth of conflict between the Catholic Church and science arose.
\Further information on the Society and the work it does can be found here. https://catholicscientists.org/
If you are interested in Dr. Barr's work in Science and Faith, a link to his book, Modern Physics and Ancient Faith can be found here.
Dr. Kenneth Kemp, an emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, discusses human evolution in light of the first Papal encyclical to discuss human evolution, Humani generis. He also gives an overview of his most recent book, The Origins of Catholic Evolutionism, 1831–1950 (CUA Press), which details how the Church engaged with evolutionary thought in the 19th and early 20th century.
In the second of two episodes, Dr. Jonathan Lunine, Chief Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, discusses the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the solar system and how scientists are able to get data from various NASA missions to address this question. Dr. Lunine is a member of the NationalAcademy of Sciences and is one of the founding board members of the Society of Catholic Scientists.
Dr. Jonathan Lunine, Chief Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, discusses his career in planetary science as well as his faith journey as a scientist. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and is one of the founding board members of the Society of Catholic Scientists.
In this episode we bring you a talk Ross Douthat delivered at the Society of Catholic Scientists' 2025 Annual Conference. In the talk, Douthat discusses his latest book, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious (Zondervan), and the arguments for why our experience of reality is more parsimoniously explained from a theist perspective than from an atheistic or materialistic perspective. He discusses the cultural moment we find ourselves in, one in which many people, particularly young people, are open to exploring religious belief. Enjoy.
Here is a link to Ross Douthat's book: Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious.
Dr. Stephen Barr shares the story behind the foundation of the Society of Catholic Scientists. Dr. Barr, the President of the Society of Catholic Scientists, discusses how he became interested in the relationship between science and the Catholic faith and why he felt compelled to work with other Catholic scientists to launch the Society in 2016.
Further information on the Society and the work it does can be found here. https://catholicscientists.org/
If you are interested in Dr. Barr's work in Science and Faith, a link to his book, Modern Physics and Ancient Faith can be found here.