Blog
Science, Human Consciousness, and Artificial Intelligence
From pollution and climate change to curing diseases and developing new sources of clean energy, there is tremendous hope that technology will be able to solve many of the world’s problems. A recent dramatic article reveals the creation of a “living” robot and its...
Saint Augustine of Hippo: A Theologian for Our Time
“It is also necessary—may God grant it!—that in providing others with books to read I myself should make progress, and that in trying to answer their questions I myself should find what I am seeking. Therefore at the command of God our Lord and with his help, I have...
God and the Vanguard of Atheism
The good folks here at Magis Center were gracious enough to suggest that I become a more regular contributor, so I’m looking forward to exploring some exciting topics in the coming months. And, in the spirit of a preliminary entry, I’d like to address the following,...
Remembering Fr. George Coyne, SJ (1933-2020)
Fr. George Coyne, SJ, passed away on February 14, 2020. He was an astrophysicist, a priest, the former director of the Vatican Observatory, and a “remarkable man.” His life and contributions are celebrated in moving tributes from the Vatican Observatory website and...
The Human Brain: A Primer
The human brain is the most complex organ in existence. It is a largely uncharted frontier for scientists. And it is not like a computer. What do we know? From National Geographic tutorials to documentaries by NBC and the BBC, there are multiple resources describing...
Astronomy, God, and the Search for Elegance
Do faith and science operate in completely separate, non-overlapping realms? In the first of a series of articles for Thinking Faith, Vatican Astronomer, Guy Consolmagno SJ, explores how science works, how scientists work, and the place that faith has in...
The End of Spitzer’s Mission (the telescope) and Other Space News
The last week of January was a historic week for space news. Jan. 30 marked the end of the mission assigned to NASA’s Spitzer Space telescope. Jan. 31 marked another historic space event: the 62nd anniversary of the launch of Explorer 1, the very first satellite...
Are Animals Just Like Us?
New studies on animal learning, language, and the use of tools have created a firestorm of articles with the underlying theme that “animals are just like us.” Consider this article from National Geographic. The article reports a study that aims to determine if animals...
8 Deadly Sins in Literature: Envy
Envy is resentment toward another person who appears to have a benefit or advantage that the resentful individual does not have. This resentment frequently leads to hatred for the other. Envious individuals believe that they have been treated unfairly (by life, God,...
New Ebook Discusses How to Navigate the Weirdness of a Quantum Universe
A frequent contributor to the Magis blog, Dr. Robert Kurland's posts share his reflections on the intersection of faith and science from the perspective of a convert and retired physicist. In his most recent ebook, “Mysteries: Quantum and Theological” (available on...
