In this episode of The Open Door, panelists Jim Hanink, Mario Ramos-Reyes, and Valerie Niemeyer explore the relation between faith and science from the perspective of philosophy, especially Thomism. Our welcome guest is Prof. Paul Julienne. He is a groundbreaking quantum physics researcher long affiliated with the Joint Quantum Institute at the University of Maryland. He was recently elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences for his exceptional original research. Julienne helped establish the science of ultracold matter, which investigates atoms and molecules near absolute zero. Among the questions we’ll ask our guest are the following. Please feel free to suggest your own!

1. Let’s start with some philosophy. As an Anglican, how did you come to be a Thomist?
2. How do you understand the nature of knowledge? And what is truth?
3. Let’s continue with some science. Could you first tell us something about the kind of science you do?
4. Given that today’s science depends on advanced mathematics, and given that many people live on the verge of innumeracy, can we expect the general population to have even a working understanding of, say, physics and chemistry?
5. Just what counts as a scientific explanation?
6. What is the difference between efficient and final causation? Is there any place for the latter in science?
7. Do scientists presuppose the intelligibility of nature? Is a belief in God’s activity in the natural world at odds with that presupposition?
8. Scientists have research programs. How has a research program shaped your own work?
9. Does Christianity offer believers anything comparable to a research program?
10. Are there any science related jokes that you would like to share with us?