Is science a path to cosmic connection?

In this fourth episode of our series from the November 2024 symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age held at McGill University, I share results of an ongoing study on Meaning and Mystery in Science, which explores the spiritual experiences of non-religious scientists, and how the practice of science might evoke awe, wonder, and a sense of the transcendent.

We open the episode with a poetry reading from Marie Trotter, and following my presentation is a discussion with Dr. Rob Gilbert, Dr. Rajeev Bhargava, and Dr. Galen Watts.

Here’s a summary of the episode:

Marie Trotter opens the episode with original poetry, exploring themes of fragility, hope, and beauty, drawing inspiration from Klimt's paintings.
Findings from the Meaning and Mystery in Science study reveal how scientists, including non-religious ones, experience awe, wonder, and spiritual yearning through their work, categorized as transcendent, immanent, or liminal enchantment
Bhargava notes that spiritual yearning is often disrupted by ideological, social, and political forces, which we need to contend with more seriously
Watts explores the idea of science as play, contrasting the childlike enchantment of discovery with the institutionalized pressures of professional science
Gilbert highlights the danger of self-satisfaction in science, arguing that humility and vulnerability are essential for true insight

Follow us on social media for more updates:

X: https://x.com/brvnathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brvnathan/

This episode is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) and the Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)

Support us on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast

#beauty #beautyatwork #podcast #symposium #science #spirituality #SpiritualYearning #BrandonVaidyanathan