TT5: Rational Mysticism
"The School of Athens" by Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, 1511
March 08th-13th, 2025
Oratorio di Barottoli
Throughout history, some of the greatest scientific minds sought not only to understand the universe but to encounter a deeper sense of order, mystery, and transcendence through their work. From Kepler and Newton to Einstein and modern cosmology, science has often moved alongside profound spiritual curiosity.
This Think Tank explores how scientific inquiry, rational thought, and contemplative wonder may converge as pathways to meaning. From cosmic origins and the emergence of life to questions of beauty, intelligence, and belonging, we ask how science might deepen our connection with Nature, broaden public imagination, and open new dialogues between knowledge, spirituality, and human responsibility.
PARTICIPANTS
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Philip Goff is a philosopher and Professor at Durham University whose work explores the ultimate nature of reality, consciousness, and the relationship between science and philosophy. Widely recognized for his defense of panpsychism as a compelling theory of consciousness, his research invites deeper reflection on mind, matter, and how philosophical inquiry may expand scientific understanding.
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Nilton Bonder is a Brazilian rabbi, writer, and spiritual thinker whose work bridges Jewish wisdom, ethics, philosophy, and contemporary human questions. Author of numerous influential books — including reflections on Kabbalah, spirituality, and social responsibility — his thought explores belonging, inner transformation, and the relationship between tradition and modern life.
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Mary-Jane Rubenstein is a scholar of religion, philosophy, science studies, and gender studies, and serves as Dean of Social Sciences at Wesleyan University. Her interdisciplinary work explores cosmology, metaphysics, ecology, and the philosophical implications of scientific thought, often examining how questions of reality, multiplicity, and belonging shape human understanding.
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Kieran Fox is a neuroscientist, physician, and researcher whose work explores consciousness, cognition, and the neural foundations of altered states of experience. His research spans meditation, mind-wandering, neuromodulation, and the clinical potential of psychedelic medicine, bringing together neuroscience, contemplative practice, and human transformation.
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Ursula Goodenough is a biologist, Professor of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, and author of the acclaimed book Sacred Depths of Nature. Her work bridges evolutionary biology, religious naturalism, and science as a pathway to awe, inviting deeper reflection on life, belonging, and the sacred dimensions of the natural world.
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David B. Yaden is a researcher and Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he studies altered states of consciousness, self-transcendent experiences, and the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances. His work integrates psychology, neuroscience, and empirical research to better understand some of the most meaningful and transformative dimensions of human experience.
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