CHRISTCHURCH Can philosophers and scientists work together in order to respond to a real search for wisdom? That was the question Fr Dominique Faure, a priest of the Community of St John, tried to answer in the annual Rochester Lecture at the University of Canterbury on September 10.
His conclusion, at the end of a talk that spanned early Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle; the different sciences; Marxism and Communism; and the role of theology. Not really.
Fr Faure described philosophy and science as different ways of searching. Both, he said, accept in dignity that some questions cannot be answered and share the major questions common to any human intelligence those of source, end and human form.
From that stemmed discussion about human happiness, freedom and responsibility, and the common desire to discover truth.
Truth in modern science is what can be quantified. What cannot be logically formalised is not considered the truth, said Fr Faure.
Truth has become an opinion or an illusion until you reach it.
He went on to explain how everything in nature is in constant movement and that human intelligence has always tried to touch what is beyond movement and search for a better, more perfect other, which is God.
God doesn't move. God is the first being beyond movement and is eternal, beyond dying and perfect, he said.
Fr Faure described how the Church is often accused of misunderstanding or despising science and suggested that they do not have to be opposing forces.
Faith demands we use our intelligence as much as possible, he said. It is important to have intelligent Christians that are not afraid of dialogue between science and faith.
The Rochester Lecture was one of several engagements for Fr Faure while in New Zealand. He preached a retreat at Aucklands Carmelite Monastery on the Book of the Apocalypse, as well as speaking at Theology on Tap and giving two other talks in Auckland. He gave an additional talk in Christchurch, later leading a retreat and giving talks in Hamilton.
Fr Faure is a French priest who has helped establish a number of houses around the world for the Community of St John, which was founded in the 1970s by a Dominican priest. The community, based in France, now has hundreds of priests and sisters both contemplative and apostolic around the world.
Now based in India, Fr Faure oversees the spiritual formation of some of the Missionaries of Charity, a role he was chosen for by Mother Teresa. The order also runs a centre for Aids victims and children orphaned because of Aids.
