Professor Craig Clunas, lecturer in the History of Art, Fellow at Trinity College and Curator at the British Museum speaks to The Edgar Wind Society.

Clunas’ discussion, ‘Finding (and Exhibiting) the Spiritual in Early Ming Art’ ties in with EWS ’ termly theme of ‘The Spiritual’ (the final in our tripartite exploration of reality)

Clunas has previously held posts at the V&A, SOAS and the University of Sussex.

Sarah Mortimer from Christchurch College explains how the Reformation changed the society and puts the trials of the Oxford Martyrs into context. Free, booking required at smv.heritage@gmail.com
http://www.smvheritage.co.uk/heritage/events-lectures/

Why have we become obsessed with squeezing the most out of every minute? What’s wrong with wasting time?

Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP, Dominican Friar and international writer and speaker, explores the delights and trials of sitting in silence, waiting for God to speak. Timothy Radcliffe was Master of the Order of Preachers from 1992-2001.

This talk forms part of the University Church’s Trinity term series for students and 20-somethings. Wine, cheese and juice will be in ample supply.

This talk addresses two objections to religious belief from Ned Hall, based on the claim that religious practices fail to show the epistemic virtues of those of natural science. First, individuals engaged in science adopt degrees of belief towards working hypotheses rather than supposing they possess knowledge, in contrast to religious believers. Second, scientific communities are governed by a norm that permits or welcomes heresy, whereas religious communities seek to maintain orthodoxy through organisational power. I accept Hall’s characterisation of the contrast, but argue that this is no objection to religious belief, for it misconstrues its grounds. Revealed religions (such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam) invite belief on the basis of testimony, rather than rational inference. Acceptance of testimony may properly result in knowledge rather than a weighted credence, and an epistemic community that is responsible for sustaining a testimonial chain is properly concerned with accurate transmission of the original report.

Tom Simpson is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, and a Senior Research Fellow at Wadham College. He was educated at Cambridge (BA, MPhil, PhD), where he was also previously a Research Fellow at Sidney Sussex College. Between degrees he served as an officer with the Royal Marines Commandos. His research is focused on trust, both its theory and practical applications, including implications for religious epistemology. His work in applied ethics has been principally on the ethics of information and computing technologies, and of war.

THIS PUBLIC SEMINAR WILL BE HELD IN THE SUTRO ROOM OF TRINITY COLLEGE, OXFORD, AT 8:30PM ON THURSDAY 5th JUNE 2014, PRECEDED BY DRINKS AT 8:15PM.

Dr Stephen Backhouse is Lecturer in Social and Political Theology at St. Mellitus college. Stephen studied at the University of Oxford, then McGill, then Oxford again, where he completed his doctorate on Kierkegaard and religious nationalism. Besides teaching at those universities, Stephen has also written on matters of politics, national identity and Christianity. As well as magazine and think tank articles, other publications include ‘The Compact Guide to Christian History’ (Lion, 2011) and ‘Kierkegaard’s Critique of Christian Nationalism’ (OUP, 2011).

Upstairs, in the function room, at the Mitre. 7:30pm with drinks and nibbles served from 7pm.

Join us at Freud this Wednesday as we consider how the collections, interpretations and rituals of our cultural institutions shape society today. Paul Hobson, director of Modern Art Oxford and Dr Christopher Brown, director of The Ashmolean will present two short talks before a question and answer session, followed by drinks. The Edgar Wind Society hopes that this will be a novel opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge about art within an informal atmosphere. All are welcome.

Speaker: Susie Orbach
Psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, writer and social critic. Her books include Fat is a Feminist Issue and Bodies. A convenor of Anybody, an organisation that campaigns for body diversity. Co-founder of Antidote which works for the emotional literacy and Co-founder of Psychotherapist and Counsellors for Social Responsibility. Part of the Mansfield Lecture Series, convener Baroness Helena Kennedy QC

RANDY RETTBERG, President of iGEM
Randy Rettberg is the man behind iGEM, the global competition for undergraduates and high school students in designing brand new biological parts, or “genetically engineered machines”. An engineer by trade he is the President of the iGEM Foundation, which operates the Registry of Standard Biological Parts, a continuously growing library of genetic parts that can be mixed and matched to enable easier construction of synthetic biology devices.

Dr. RICHARD KELWICK, Researcher at CSynBI, Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation (Imperial College)
Richard has been scientific advisor and project manager of three successful iGEM teams, 2011-2013. Most recently, he was the lead advisor for the iGEM team Plasticity, at Imperial College London, which came third out of over 200 teams at the world final, held at MIT.

Dr. JAREK BRYK, National Centre for Biotechnology Education University of Reading
Jarek works at the National Centre for Biotechnology Education on a project to facilitate teaching of synthetic biology on an undergraduate level. He develops experimental kits that will be incorporated in synthetic biology curricula.He currently mentors the iGEM Reading team.

A short talk followed by questions and discussion.

“The Dalai Lama: a study in bourgeois rationality”

All welcome

‘Can you Count the Clouds?’ asks the voice of God from the whirlwind in the stunningly beautiful catalogue of nature questions from the Old Testament Book of Job. Tom McLeish takes a scientist’s reading of this ancient text as a centrepiece to make the case for science as a deeply human and ancient activity, embedded in some of the oldest stories told about human desire to understand the natural world. Drawing on stories from the modern science of chaos and uncertainty alongside medieval, patristic, classical and Biblical sources, Faith and Wisdom in Science challenges much of the current ‘science and religion’ debate as operating with the wrong assumptions and in the wrong space. Its narrative approach develops a natural critique of the cultural separation of sciences and humanities, suggesting an approach to science, or in its more ancient form, natural philosophy— the ‘love of wisdom of natural things’—that can draw on theological and cultural roots. Surprisingly, science becomes a deeply religious activity. There are urgent lessons for education, the political process of decision making on science and technology, our relationship with the global environment, and the way that both religious and secular communities alike celebrate and govern science.

Tom McLeish is Professor of Physics and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Durham University. His research interests include: complex fluids and biological physics, academic-industrial collaboration, science and society, and the history (especially medieval) and theology of science. He studied for his first degree and PhD in polymer physics at the University of Cambridge and in 1987 became a lecturer in physics at the University of Sheffield. In 1993 he took the chair in polymer physics at the University of Leeds. He took up his current position in Durham in 2008. He has won several awards for his work on molecular rheology of polymers, including the Weissenberg Award of the European Society of Rheology (2007), the Gold Medal of the British Society of Rheology (2009) and the Bingham Award of the Society of Rheology (2010). He is also involved in science-communication with the public via regular radio, TV and schools lectures, discussing issues from the Physics of Slime to the interaction of Faith and Science. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the American Physical Society and the Royal Society.

THIS SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE SUTRO ROOM, TRINITY COLLEGE AT 8:30PM, PRECEDED BY DRINKS AT 8:15PM.

A TORCH day conference including keynotes from Terry Eagleton and George Pattison and parallel session papers on theodicy, evil in literature, film and TV, German philosophy (Hegel and Fichte), death and technology, Aristotle, the Akedah, and more.

https://www.facebook.com/events/562007383918459/

The Alpha Course runs in 162 countries and has been attended, according to their website, by 25 Million people. Over a 9 week period, students are guided through Christian theology ostensibly to “Explore the meaning of Life”.

Simon Clare, an unabashed atheist, signed up to his local course in Brighton, wondering if his faithlessness would be challenged. Spoiler: He wasn’t converted but he was surprised at what he learnt about faith.

The new Archbishop Of Canterbury, Justin Welby, found his faith at the home of the Alpha Course and his election suggests that the Alpha model of spreading the word is now at the heart of Christianity’s struggle for survival. As well as giving an overview of the course from biblical history to singing in tongues, Simon will discuss what atheists can learn from the Alpha Course.

Simon Clare runs Horsham Skeptics in the Pub and is a founder member of the South East Skeptics Society.

Peter Tatchell will be discussing ‘Organised Religion is the Greatest Global Threat to Human Rights’.

The World Humanist Congress is taking place from Friday 8th August until Sunday 10th August in Oxford. Held every three years in different locations around the world, this years theme of the meeting is ‘Freedom of Thought and Expression’. We are pleased to announce during the conference period, 10 world-class speakers will be visiting the bookshop for a series of free 20 minute talks taking place in the Norrington Room. You do not need tickets to attend any of the talks but seating is limited, so please arrive early to get a ensure your place.

Stephen Law will be discussing ‘Why I’m An Atheist’.

The World Humanist Congress is taking place from Friday 8th August until Sunday 10th August in Oxford. Held every three years in different locations around the world, this years theme of the meeting is ‘Freedom of Thought and Expression’. We are pleased to announce during the conference period, 10 world-class speakers will be visiting the bookshop for a series of free 20 minute talks taking place in the Norrington Room. You do not need tickets to attend any of the talks but seating is limited, so please arrive early to get a ensure your place.

This time SA is dedicated to the topic of ageing – in conjunction with Silver Sunday. It will feature a talk by Dr. Chrystalina Antoniades about the joys and perils of cognitive ageing, our very own David Paterson (80) will give some tips based on his journey into this (ageing) territory. All accompanied by humorous sing-a longs. If you have friends or neighbours who are not normally out and about, invite them along. We will make suitable arrangements for those with wheelchairs or having difficulties. Just let us know in advance by leaving a note on our Facebook page.

The seminar will focus on the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the modern inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian relations, and the role of the Patriarchate in global politics.

The Future of the Church of England:
A debate on the future of the Church of England, featuring speakers Revd Dr Andrew Davison, Professor Robin Gill, Lord Mawson, and Revd Canon Anna Norman-Walker. Chaired by Professor Linda Woodhead and introduces by The Rt Hon Charles Clarke.

Egyptomania: The Allure of Ancient Egypt
With Henrietta McCall, Department of the Middle East, British Museum

2pm Saturday, 11 October 2014 at Ashmolean Museum | Venue Information

Henrietta McCall talks about the enduring appeal of ancient Egypt in western culture. She assesses how it began with Napoleon in the early 19th century; how symbols and imagery from antiquity inspired architecture, gardens, furniture and fashion; and how in the 1920s that appeal reached its climax with the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Seminar by Prof Beverly Clack, Professor in the Philosophy of Religion, Oxford Brookes University.

Overture to the Oxford Ceramics Fair
With Janice Tchalenko, potter

Ashmolean Lecture Theatre

Fri 17 Oct, 2–3.30pm

Janice Tchalenko is an award-winning potter whose work has been exhibited internationally and commissioned for retail outlets such as John Lewis. In this lecture Janice talks about her work and inspiration.

Speaker: Lina Molokotos-Liederman (Uppsala University)
The first part of the seminar will look at the Orthodox Christian approach of addressing social issues of poverty, injustice and inequality, and the concept of Orthodox diakonia. The second part will focus on Greece as a case study, discussing the response of the Church to the social costs of the economic crisis (its charitable social welfare activities), but also the impact of this crisis on the Church itself.

Eating Restoration Glue to Stay Alive: A History of Hermitage
With Dr Rosalind P. Blakesley, University of Cambridge

Ashmolean Lecture Theatre

Wed 22 Oct, 11am–12pm

The Hermitage is an institute like no other,
 housing over 3 million objects in buildings as iconic as the Winter Palace, seat of the Romanov dynasty until its spectacular fall from grace in 1917. As the Hermitage celebrates its 250th anniversary, Dr Blakesley charts its history from the lavish patronage of Catherine the Great to the unparalleled acquisitions of Impressionist and Post- Impressionist works.

The Future of the Church of England:
A debate on the future of the Church of England, featuring speakers Andrew Mackie, Bishop John Pritchard, Dame Fiona Reynolds and Sir Barney White-Spunner. Chaired by Professor Linda Woodhead.

Tutankhamun and Revolution
With Dr Paul Collins, Jaleh Hearn Curator for Ancient Near East and co-curator of ‘Discovering Tutankhamun’

Ashmolean Lecture Theatre

Sat 25 Oct, 2‒3pm

This talk considers three historical periods when the image and idea of Tutankhamun became a focus for revolution both in Egypt and beyond. Starting in the ancient world, the revolutions of the Amarna age, into which Tutankhamun was born, witnessed a transformation in the concept of kingship. In the early 20th century, as Egypt claimed independence from British control, Tutankhamun became a symbol of opposition to imperial rule. Finally, in recent years, Egypt has faced political upheaval and revolutionaries
have again employed the image of Tutankhamun.

The Time of the Gods: Myths from Ancient Egypt (STUDY DAY)
With Dr Garry Shaw, Egyptologist and author

Tue 28 Oct, 10.30am‒4pm

An introduction to Egypt’s creation myths and a history of the reigns of these gods on earth. This study day will cover myths, both well-known and the more obscure, related to notable deities such as Re, Amun, Osiris, Horus and Isis.

Unwrapping Tutankhamun
With Dr Christina Riggs, Senior Lecturer, School of Art History and World Art Studies, University of East Anglia

Ashmolean Lecture Theatre

Tue 28 Oct, 2.30‒3.30pm

After three years of work in the tomb, Howard Carter and his team were ready to reveal the body of Tutankhamun. Using photographs and diaries from the excavation, this illustrated lecture follows Carter’s work in stages as they worked through the layers of wrappings around Tutankhamun’s body, and considers what else we can learn from the unwrapping of other materials in the tomb.

The seminar is part of “Religion, Society & Politics” series, hosted by Oxford Orthodox Christian Student Society. The seminar is aimed at understanding developing global-local interactions between the religious and the secular and examining the social and political consequences of religion and politics, with a focus on both conflict and cooperation and their association with religion in different contexts.

Professor Haynes is internationally recognised authority in religion, politics and democratisation. His most recent books include “Religious Transnational Actors and Soft Power” (2012) and “Routledge Handbook of Democratisation” (2011).

A public meeting with a short introductory talk followed by questions and discussion.

Understanding other people: a science of belief systems
Speaker: Dr Edmund Griffiths, author of “Towards a Science of Belief Systems” (Palgrave Macmillan 2014)
Thursday 30 October, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
The Mitre, corner of High St and Turl St (upstairs function room)
All welcome

Organised by Oxford Communist Corresponding Society.

About “Towards a Science of Belief Systems”

People believe in a great many things: the New Age and the new atheism, astrology and the Juche Idea, the marginal utility theory and a God in three persons. Yet most of us know almost nothing about why other people believe the things they do – or indeed about how it feels to believe them. This book presents an objective method for understanding and comparing belief systems, irrespective of their subject matter and of whether or not the investigator happens to agree with them. The method, descriptive logic, is illustrated through analyses of various phenomena, including Zoroastrianism, Dawkinsism, Fabianism, 9/11 Truth, ‘alternative’ Egyptology, Gnosticism, flying saucer sightings, and the hymns of Charles Wesley. Special attention is given to beliefs that are not supposed to be wholly believed, and to how descriptive logic relates to the materialist conception of history. The book also outlines a new theory of superstition.