Determinism and Indeterminism: From Science to Philosophy

“Determinism and Indeterminism: From Science to Philosophy” is a three-year project, which seeks to promote dialogue among physicists, biologists, neuroscientists, philosophers and theologians to study the impact of new scientific findings on issues relating to the determinism/indeterminism of nature (e.g. the Hamiltonian modal interpretation of quantum mechanics, discoveries in chemiosmosis and recent re-evaluations of the Libet experiments).

The project is structured around big questions of contemporary science. We aim to systematically cross the boundaries of topics traditionally considered scientific, philosophical, or theological. We thus address, in a unique way, the challenge of achieving interdisciplinary understanding and acquiring a common technical vocabulary that fosters dialogue among Spanish-speaking researchers from diverse disciplines. Our goal is to promote high-level interdisciplinary research and develop a regional network of researchers interested in these issues. We also hope to catalyze the development of similar interdisciplinary projects in the region and in cooperation with institutions in other countries.

Project activities include a Research Seminar monthly and three Interdisciplinary Research Weeks intensive. The project also includes the publication of several collective volumes of academic works and the writing of three popular science books. Through two Competitions The best journalistic articles on topics related to the project, published in Latin American print media between June 1, 2013, and May 31, 2015, will be awarded prizes.

Directors: Dr. Claudia E. Vanney and Dr. Juan F. Franck

Researchers: Dr. Olimpia Lombardi (Conicet, University of Buenos Aires), Dr. Angela Suburo (Universidad Austral)

Associate Researchers: Dr. Manuel Alfonseca (Complutense University), Dr. Ivana Antón (National University of Cuyo), Dr. Marta Bertolaso ​​(University of Rome Biomedical Campus), Dr. María Cerezo (University of Murcia), Dr. Santiago Collado (University of Navarra), Dr. Miguel de Asúa (National University of San Martín), Dr. Luis Echarte (University of Navarra), Dr. Miguel García-Valdecasas (University of Navarra), Dr. Alejandro González Sánchez (Autonomous University of Zacatecas), Dr. Francisco Güell (University of Navarra), Dr. Rafael Martinez (University of the Holy Cross), Dr. José Ignacio Murillo (University of Navarra), Dr. Juan José Sanguineti (University of the Holy Cross), Dr. Ignacio Silva (University of Oxford), Dr. Francisco Soler Gil (University of Seville), Dr. Eugenio Urrutia (Autonomous University of the State of Puebla) Dr. Leonardo Vanni (University of Buenos Aires), Dr. Héctor Velazquez (Pan-American University), Dr. Marcelo Villar (Universidad Austral).

Assistant Researchers: Mariano Asla, Esq. (Universidad Austral), Lic. Alan Heiblum (Universidad Austral), Lic. Ignacio del Carril (Universidad Austral).

Duration: 2013-2015

Financing: John Templeton Foundation ($212,853)