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Contemporary scientific explanations of religion: A methodological and philosophical analysis. The idea that religion is an evolved feature of human nature plays a key role in the ongoing culture war between those critical of some aspects of the scientific worldview, especially the theory of evolution, and those who take it upon themselves to defend science against the perceived threat of religion, notably the so-called 'new atheist' media stars. Analysing the philosophical and methodological is ....Contemporary scientific explanations of religion: A methodological and philosophical analysis. The idea that religion is an evolved feature of human nature plays a key role in the ongoing culture war between those critical of some aspects of the scientific worldview, especially the theory of evolution, and those who take it upon themselves to defend science against the perceived threat of religion, notably the so-called 'new atheist' media stars. Analysing the philosophical and methodological issues raised by naturalistic explanations of religion will clarify the potential relationships between science and religion in a pluralist and predominantly secularist society like Australia in which the claims of science are accorded a special authority.Read moreRead less
The digital restoration of the Dublin Kephalaia codex and its importance for the history of religions. This is a project at the forefront of the emerging use of digital technology to render legible manuscripts long regarded as unreadable. The unique fourth century codex, now housed at the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle, has been known of since 1929. The latest developments in image enhancement, especially the pseudocolour technique, offer the first chance for an international team led ....The digital restoration of the Dublin Kephalaia codex and its importance for the history of religions. This is a project at the forefront of the emerging use of digital technology to render legible manuscripts long regarded as unreadable. The unique fourth century codex, now housed at the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle, has been known of since 1929. The latest developments in image enhancement, especially the pseudocolour technique, offer the first chance for an international team led from the University of Sydney to read and publish the text. Its contents record discussions about religion, human nature and the natural world held by sages from East and West at the court of the Persian king; and illuminate the dynamic cultural interchange between India and the Mediterranean world that characterised late antiquity.Read moreRead less
The God of Hegel's Post-Kantian Idealism. Recently both philosophical and popular debates over the role of religion in modern society have, like earlier debates from the 18th century, been marked by a commitment to philosophical realism. In the largely neglected "idealist" tradition of the nineteenth century, such disputes were cast in a different light. By developing an idealist conception of God, using contemporary philosophical resources, this project aims to offer a way of thinking about the ....The God of Hegel's Post-Kantian Idealism. Recently both philosophical and popular debates over the role of religion in modern society have, like earlier debates from the 18th century, been marked by a commitment to philosophical realism. In the largely neglected "idealist" tradition of the nineteenth century, such disputes were cast in a different light. By developing an idealist conception of God, using contemporary philosophical resources, this project aims to offer a way of thinking about the role of religion in human life that avoids the primacy of the question of belief in God as well as antagonistic conceptions of religious differences.Read moreRead less
Models of Divinity. At a time of religious conflict around the world, interfaith dialogue is becoming increasingly important. This project will provide a platform for such dialogue to take place, thus advancing the National Research Priority Goal of improving Australia's capacity to interpret and engage with its regional and global environment. The project will also have distinct social benefits that will result from exploring the links between competing conceptions of the divine and (very often ....Models of Divinity. At a time of religious conflict around the world, interfaith dialogue is becoming increasingly important. This project will provide a platform for such dialogue to take place, thus advancing the National Research Priority Goal of improving Australia's capacity to interpret and engage with its regional and global environment. The project will also have distinct social benefits that will result from exploring the links between competing conceptions of the divine and (very often oppressive) social-cultural practices. Finally, the project will advance Australia's reputation and standing in the philosophy of religion, thus stimulating greater postgraduate and postdoctoral research in this area. Read moreRead less
Science and Religion in Early Modern Europe. This project seeks to elucidate the nature of early modern science, early modern religion, and their relationship. A major focus will be the shift from medieval conceptions of science (scientia) and religion (religio) as inner virtues, to the modern understanding of science and religion as bodies of knowledge and sets of practices. This transformation was fundamental to the emergence of modern science and made possible a new kind of relationship be ....Science and Religion in Early Modern Europe. This project seeks to elucidate the nature of early modern science, early modern religion, and their relationship. A major focus will be the shift from medieval conceptions of science (scientia) and religion (religio) as inner virtues, to the modern understanding of science and religion as bodies of knowledge and sets of practices. This transformation was fundamental to the emergence of modern science and made possible a new kind of relationship between science and religion?one unique to the West. The project will enhance our understanding of the rise of science and identify distinctive features of modern Western culture.Read moreRead less
The Criticism of Heaven and Earth. Two issues have returned with vigour to public debate: the role of religion in secular society and the relation between theology and political theory. This project provides a much needed reference work that sets the current debates within a long and rich tradition. Apart from enabling us to avoid the mistakes of the past, it also brings to the fore forgotten solutions to such issues. Further, given the central role of many of these critics in a range of discipl ....The Criticism of Heaven and Earth. Two issues have returned with vigour to public debate: the role of religion in secular society and the relation between theology and political theory. This project provides a much needed reference work that sets the current debates within a long and rich tradition. Apart from enabling us to avoid the mistakes of the past, it also brings to the fore forgotten solutions to such issues. Further, given the central role of many of these critics in a range of disciplines, the series will have repercussions across a wide range of discussions within Australia and abroad. Finally, is a further step in international leadership emanating from Australia.Read moreRead less
Mission and Inculturation: the Manichaean and Nestorian experience in China - a textual, iconographical and epigraphical investigation. The project aims to investigate the introduction of two 'Western' religions, Manichaeism and Nestorian Christianity, into China through textual and archaeological evidence. The project will explore important multi-cultural aspects such as theological inculturation and artistic synthesis. The iconographical material from South China is both unique and of great ar ....Mission and Inculturation: the Manichaean and Nestorian experience in China - a textual, iconographical and epigraphical investigation. The project aims to investigate the introduction of two 'Western' religions, Manichaeism and Nestorian Christianity, into China through textual and archaeological evidence. The project will explore important multi-cultural aspects such as theological inculturation and artistic synthesis. The iconographical material from South China is both unique and of great artistic value and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV).Read moreRead less
Aristotle's Categories in the Byzantine, Arabic and Latin Traditions. High quality pure research is of national benefit because it adds to the depth of national culture and because it enhances our national profile overseas. When it involves collaboration with leading scholars at leading international universities, the enhancement is even greater. To understand the great religions that form part of our national identity, and their influence on philosophical thought, is of national benefit because ....Aristotle's Categories in the Byzantine, Arabic and Latin Traditions. High quality pure research is of national benefit because it adds to the depth of national culture and because it enhances our national profile overseas. When it involves collaboration with leading scholars at leading international universities, the enhancement is even greater. To understand the great religions that form part of our national identity, and their influence on philosophical thought, is of national benefit because it helps understand our place in today's world.Read moreRead less
The Structure of Moral Reasoning: Hume, Kant and the Evidence from Psychopathology and Neuroscience. What can moral philosophers hope to learn from the sciences of the mind? Recent work on the disorders of autism and psychopathy, has promised to reshape a longstanding philosophical debate between Kantians and Humeans on the role of empathy (sympathy) in moral thinking. This project will draw out the implications of a range of neuroscientific findings for key questions in moral theory and also co ....The Structure of Moral Reasoning: Hume, Kant and the Evidence from Psychopathology and Neuroscience. What can moral philosophers hope to learn from the sciences of the mind? Recent work on the disorders of autism and psychopathy, has promised to reshape a longstanding philosophical debate between Kantians and Humeans on the role of empathy (sympathy) in moral thinking. This project will draw out the implications of a range of neuroscientific findings for key questions in moral theory and also consider how the normative and conceptual claims made by such theories, about what must be true of a moral judgment, are connected to descriptive claims about the psychology of the moral agents who make them.Read moreRead less
Manichaean and Medieval Christian (Nestorian and Catholic) remains in Quanzhou (S. China) - an epigraphical, iconographical and historical investigation. This is a UNESCO-sponsored project, conducting research into Manichaean and Christian missionary activities around the port city of Quanzhou (Zaitun) in the 12th and 13th centuries. The research is being conducted in conjunction with the Quanzhou Museum of Maritime Contacts, and the results will be published for the Museum in a catalogue of Sy ....Manichaean and Medieval Christian (Nestorian and Catholic) remains in Quanzhou (S. China) - an epigraphical, iconographical and historical investigation. This is a UNESCO-sponsored project, conducting research into Manichaean and Christian missionary activities around the port city of Quanzhou (Zaitun) in the 12th and 13th centuries. The research is being conducted in conjunction with the Quanzhou Museum of Maritime Contacts, and the results will be published for the Museum in a catalogue of Syro-Turkish inscriptions and sepulchral monuments. The catalogue will be accompanied by the first monograph in English on this topic, as well as by interim reports and articles.Read moreRead less