Over half a century ago, British biologist Desmond Morris published the iconoclastic book "The Naked Ape" (1969), in which he presented humans as one of 193 ape species. He proposed that all specifically human traits—biological, behavioral, and spiritual—are the product of evolutionary adaptations. In this way, Morris completed Darwin's work by reducing humans to the level of a mere animal.
However, contrary to the theses of Morris and many other atheistic Darwinists, many features of the human body, mind, and behavior cannot be explained by an evolutionary struggle of drives.
The words of the Psalmist stand in stark contrast to Morris's theses, who gratefully exclaims, "I thank you, O God, for you have made me in a wonderful way" (Ps 139:14), immediately adding with delight, "Your works are marvelous." Is the miracle of the human body and spirit merely a matter of blind faith? Or can it rather be empirically confirmed by examining the scientific evidence? Is man merely a "naked (because hairless) ape" or an admirable work of God's hand?
During the conference "Faith and Science in the Age of Secularization," we will attempt to answer these questions. We will be honored by the presence of four speakers – distinguished specialists in their fields: biologist and engineer Stuart Burgess from the UK, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor from the USA, philosopher and director of the Discovery Institute John West, and the Dominican theologian Michael Chaberek. Each speaker will present a different perspective on the uniqueness of man – scientists from the physical perspective, philosophers from the spiritual perspective. There will also be a robust critique of Darwinian evolution and social Darwinism. We cordially invite you to this unique event.
Important Information for Participants: During the conference, you will be able to enjoy: •Lectures and panel discussions •Complimentary lunch on both days of the conference •Complimentary refreshments during coffee breaks •A conference package consisting of attractive printed materials •Please Note! We provide all participants with accommodation for the night of May 29/30 (Friday/Saturday).
SPEAKERS
John West, PhD
John G. West is Vice President of Discovery Institute in the United States, where he also serves as Managing Director of the Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. His current research examines the impact of science and “scientism” on public policy and culture. He was previously an Associate Professor of Political Science at Seattle Pacific University where he chaired the Department of Political Science and Geography. He has written or edited thirteen books, including Darwin Day in America: How Our Politics and Culture Have Been Dehumanized in the Name of Science and The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society. Additionally, Dr. West has directed and written several documentaries, including The Biology of the Second Reich, Human Zoos: America’s Forgotten History of Scientific Racism, and Revolutionary: Michael Behe and the Mystery of Molecular Machines.
Michael R. Egnor, PhD
Michael R. Egnor, MD, is Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He specializes in pediatric neurosurgery. He received his medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and trained in neurosurgery at the University of Miami. He has been on faculty at Stony Brook since 1991. He is the neurosurgery residency director and has served as the director of pediatric neurosurgery and as vice-chairman of neurosurgery at Stony Brook Medicine. In addition to a full-time neurosurgical practice, he directs a research program on intracranial dynamics, cerebral blood flow and hydrocephalus and has lectured at scientific meetings worldwide and published in leading medical journals including the Journal of Neurosurgery and Cerebrospinal Fluid Research. He has a strong interest in Thomistic philosophy, philosophy of mind, neuroscience, evolution and intelligent design, and bioethics and has published and lectured extensively on these topics. Dr. Egnor was named one of New York’s best doctors by New York Magazine in 2005. Dr. Egnor is author of The Immortal Mind: a Neurosurgeon’s Case for the Existence of the Soul coauthored by Denyse O’Leary and published by Worthy Press.
Stuart Burgess, PhD
Stuart Burgess has held academic posts at Bristol University (UK), Cambridge University (UK), and Liberty University (USA). He has published over 200 scientific publications on the science of design in engineering and biology. In the last three Olympics he was the lead transmission designer for the British Olympic Cycling Team, helping them on each occasion to be ranked in first place for track cycling. For the last two decades his gearboxes have been used successfully on all the large earth-observation satellites of the European Space Agency. He has received many national and international awards for design, including from the Minister of State for Trade and Industry in the UK. In 2019 he was given the top mechanical engineer award in the UK out of 120,000 professional mechanical engineers. He has been an invited speaker in over 30 countries.
Dr hab. Michał Chaberek
Fr. Michael Chaberek, SThD is a Dominican friar of the Polish Province, with a doctorate in systematic theology from Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw. He directs the Steno Institute for Faith and Science. He has published three books in English (Catholicism and Evolution, 2015, Aquinas and Evolution, 2017, and Knowledge and Evolution, 2021) and many articles on the faith-science dialogue. He seeks to renew the Catholic theology of creation through a new intelligent-design and progressive-creation paradigm.
Hosted and Supported by
Konferencja Wiara i nauka w dobie sekularyzacji: Człowiek – „naga małpa”, czy „cudowne stworzenie”?
29-30 maja 2026 r. Zamek Królewski w Niepołomicach
Stowarzyszenie Kultury Chrześcijańskiej im. Ks. Piotra Skargi ul. Augustiańska 28 31-064 Kraków piotrskarga.pl
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