Mariusz Tabaczek
Polish Dominican, theologian and philosopher (he holds Ph.D. in philosophical theology from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA, Church Licentiate from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland, and Dr. habil. in philosophy from the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland). He currently works as a professor (aggregato), vice-dean of theology, and researcher of the Thomistic Institute at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He is also a lecturer at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Krakow, Poland.
He specializes in the science-theology dialogue and the issues concerning divine action and natural sciences, in particular. He is interested in systematic, fundamental, and natural theology, philosophy of nature, philosophy of science (philosophy of biology, in particular), philosophy of causation, and metaphysics.
He published a number of articles on metaphysics and the issues concerning the relation of theology and science in "Zygon," "Theology and Science," "American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly," "Nova et Vetera," "Forum Philosophicum," and "Scientia et Fides." He is the author of three books: "Emergence. Towards A New Metaphysics and Philosophy of Science" (University of Notre Dame Press, 2019), "Divine Action and Emergence. An Alternative to Panentheism" (University of Notre Dame Press, 2021), and "Theistic Evolution. A Contemporary Aristotelian-Thomistic Perspective" (Cambridge University Press, 2023). He also coauthored two chapters in the second edition (2017) of "Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction" (ed. by Gary Ferngren). E-mail: mtabaczek@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6985-8337.
Address: Largo Angelicum 1
00184 Roma
Italia
He specializes in the science-theology dialogue and the issues concerning divine action and natural sciences, in particular. He is interested in systematic, fundamental, and natural theology, philosophy of nature, philosophy of science (philosophy of biology, in particular), philosophy of causation, and metaphysics.
He published a number of articles on metaphysics and the issues concerning the relation of theology and science in "Zygon," "Theology and Science," "American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly," "Nova et Vetera," "Forum Philosophicum," and "Scientia et Fides." He is the author of three books: "Emergence. Towards A New Metaphysics and Philosophy of Science" (University of Notre Dame Press, 2019), "Divine Action and Emergence. An Alternative to Panentheism" (University of Notre Dame Press, 2021), and "Theistic Evolution. A Contemporary Aristotelian-Thomistic Perspective" (Cambridge University Press, 2023). He also coauthored two chapters in the second edition (2017) of "Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction" (ed. by Gary Ferngren). E-mail: mtabaczek@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6985-8337.
Address: Largo Angelicum 1
00184 Roma
Italia
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As a middle path between classical theism and pantheism, the panentheistic turn in the twentieth century has been described as a “quiet revolution.” Today, in fact, many theologians hold that the world is “in” God (who, at the same time, is more than the world). Panentheism has been especially influential in the dialogue between theology and the natural sciences. Many have seen panentheism as compatible with emergentism, and thus have brought the two together in developing models of divine action that do not abrogate the regularities of processes of the natural world. In Divine Action and Emergence, Mariusz Tabaczek argues that, as inspiring and intriguing as emergentist panentheism is, it requires deeper examination. He begins by looking at the wonder of emergence (which calls into question the overly reductionist attitude in natural science) and by reflecting philosophically on emergence theory in light of classical and new Aristotelianism. Moving in a theological direction, Tabaczek then offers a critical evaluation of emergentist panentheism and a constructive proposal for how to reinterpret the idea of divine action as inspired by the theory of emergence with reference to the classical Aristotelian-Thomistic understanding of God’s action in the universe.
Through a unique interdisciplinary approach that puts theology and the natural sciences into a dialogue through philosophy, Divine Action and Emergence offers a comprehensive evaluation of panentheism. It then puts forward an original reinterpretation of emergence theory, thus setting forth a constructive proposal for reinterpreting the concept of divine action that is currently espoused by emergence theory. It will appeal to scholars of theology and philosophy, those who work in the area of theology and science, those interested in emergence theory or panentheism, and finally those who are interested in the dialogue between the classical Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition and contemporary philosophy and theology.
A closer analysis of emergentism, however, reveals a number of philosophical problems facing this theory. In Emergence, Mariusz Tabaczek offers a thorough analysis of these problems and a constructive proposal of a new metaphysical foundation for both the classic downward causation–based and the new dynamical depth account of emergence theory developed by Terrence Deacon. Tabaczek suggests ways in which both theoretical models of emergentism can be grounded in the classical and the new (dispositionalist) versions of Aristotelianism. This book will have an eager audience in metaphysicians working both in the analytic and the Thomistic traditions, as well as philosophers of science and biology interested in emergence theory and causation.
Papers by Mariusz Tabaczek
argumentation developed by my adversary. After defining crucial aspects of Aquinas’s understanding of creation, I emphasize that evolutionary changes belong to divine gubernation, and not creatio. I also offer an analysis of the question concerning the need of a direct divine intervention in instantiation of a new species. Moving to metaphysics I comment on the Aristotelian-Thomistic substantialism, the analogical character of substantivity, and Chaberek’s alternative taxonomy of living organisms. Regarding philosophical theology, I answer the question concerning the source of the substantial form of the first representative of a new species, in reference to the categories of disposition of matter and accidental features of substances. Addressing once again metaphysical aspects of the evolutionary theory, I suggest characterizing species transformation as a complex process, engaging many substantial and accidental changes.
The same issue of the English edition of "Nova et Vetera" also contains Michael Chaberek’s critique of my "Afterword" in translation, “Where do Substantial Forms Come From? — A Critique of the Theistic Evolution of Mariusz Tabaczek.” This journal issue also includes a translation of my response to Chaberek, "Evolution and Creation — A Response to Michael Chaberek’s Critique of Theistic Evolution." The texts were translated by Monika Metlerska-Colerick.
(1) "Afterword to the Polish Edition of Thomistic Evolution: A Catholic Approach to Understanding Evolution in the Light of Faith" – Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P.
(2) "Where Do Substantial Forms Come From? — A Critique of the Theistic Evolution of Mariusz Tabaczek" – Michael Chaberek, O.P.
(3) "Evolution and Creation — A Response to Michael Chaberek’s Critique of Theistic Evolution" – Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P.
This article is an attempt to look critically at the image of God presented by Peackocke. His thought is compared with the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas. Peacocke’s exaggeration on God’s immanence is criticized in this article, because in this way the perspective of the Creator’s transcendence is lost. Application of the scientific methodological principles in theology is also called into question. Finally, the analysis of God’s image presented in Aquinas’ theism allows to reject Peacocke’s objections against classical theism, which, from his point of view, presents the image of God who is unchangeable, insensitive, distant, and indifferent to what is happening in the world.
evolutionary transformations can certainly be thought as particular exemplifications of the concurrence of divine and natural causes. However, because they occur within already existing matter, they should not be conceived as an aspect of divine creation but rather as an important part of divine providential governance and guidance of the created universe toward its end.
As a middle path between classical theism and pantheism, the panentheistic turn in the twentieth century has been described as a “quiet revolution.” Today, in fact, many theologians hold that the world is “in” God (who, at the same time, is more than the world). Panentheism has been especially influential in the dialogue between theology and the natural sciences. Many have seen panentheism as compatible with emergentism, and thus have brought the two together in developing models of divine action that do not abrogate the regularities of processes of the natural world. In Divine Action and Emergence, Mariusz Tabaczek argues that, as inspiring and intriguing as emergentist panentheism is, it requires deeper examination. He begins by looking at the wonder of emergence (which calls into question the overly reductionist attitude in natural science) and by reflecting philosophically on emergence theory in light of classical and new Aristotelianism. Moving in a theological direction, Tabaczek then offers a critical evaluation of emergentist panentheism and a constructive proposal for how to reinterpret the idea of divine action as inspired by the theory of emergence with reference to the classical Aristotelian-Thomistic understanding of God’s action in the universe.
Through a unique interdisciplinary approach that puts theology and the natural sciences into a dialogue through philosophy, Divine Action and Emergence offers a comprehensive evaluation of panentheism. It then puts forward an original reinterpretation of emergence theory, thus setting forth a constructive proposal for reinterpreting the concept of divine action that is currently espoused by emergence theory. It will appeal to scholars of theology and philosophy, those who work in the area of theology and science, those interested in emergence theory or panentheism, and finally those who are interested in the dialogue between the classical Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition and contemporary philosophy and theology.
A closer analysis of emergentism, however, reveals a number of philosophical problems facing this theory. In Emergence, Mariusz Tabaczek offers a thorough analysis of these problems and a constructive proposal of a new metaphysical foundation for both the classic downward causation–based and the new dynamical depth account of emergence theory developed by Terrence Deacon. Tabaczek suggests ways in which both theoretical models of emergentism can be grounded in the classical and the new (dispositionalist) versions of Aristotelianism. This book will have an eager audience in metaphysicians working both in the analytic and the Thomistic traditions, as well as philosophers of science and biology interested in emergence theory and causation.
argumentation developed by my adversary. After defining crucial aspects of Aquinas’s understanding of creation, I emphasize that evolutionary changes belong to divine gubernation, and not creatio. I also offer an analysis of the question concerning the need of a direct divine intervention in instantiation of a new species. Moving to metaphysics I comment on the Aristotelian-Thomistic substantialism, the analogical character of substantivity, and Chaberek’s alternative taxonomy of living organisms. Regarding philosophical theology, I answer the question concerning the source of the substantial form of the first representative of a new species, in reference to the categories of disposition of matter and accidental features of substances. Addressing once again metaphysical aspects of the evolutionary theory, I suggest characterizing species transformation as a complex process, engaging many substantial and accidental changes.
The same issue of the English edition of "Nova et Vetera" also contains Michael Chaberek’s critique of my "Afterword" in translation, “Where do Substantial Forms Come From? — A Critique of the Theistic Evolution of Mariusz Tabaczek.” This journal issue also includes a translation of my response to Chaberek, "Evolution and Creation — A Response to Michael Chaberek’s Critique of Theistic Evolution." The texts were translated by Monika Metlerska-Colerick.
(1) "Afterword to the Polish Edition of Thomistic Evolution: A Catholic Approach to Understanding Evolution in the Light of Faith" – Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P.
(2) "Where Do Substantial Forms Come From? — A Critique of the Theistic Evolution of Mariusz Tabaczek" – Michael Chaberek, O.P.
(3) "Evolution and Creation — A Response to Michael Chaberek’s Critique of Theistic Evolution" – Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P.
This article is an attempt to look critically at the image of God presented by Peackocke. His thought is compared with the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas. Peacocke’s exaggeration on God’s immanence is criticized in this article, because in this way the perspective of the Creator’s transcendence is lost. Application of the scientific methodological principles in theology is also called into question. Finally, the analysis of God’s image presented in Aquinas’ theism allows to reject Peacocke’s objections against classical theism, which, from his point of view, presents the image of God who is unchangeable, insensitive, distant, and indifferent to what is happening in the world.
evolutionary transformations can certainly be thought as particular exemplifications of the concurrence of divine and natural causes. However, because they occur within already existing matter, they should not be conceived as an aspect of divine creation but rather as an important part of divine providential governance and guidance of the created universe toward its end.
(Zobacz linki odsyłające do tekstu mojego "Posłowia" z którym polemizuje Michał Chaberek oraz do tekstu samej polemiki.)
In response to Michał Chaberek’s polemic with my position regarding theistic evolutionism, I refer to some key aspects of the Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophy and theology in their encounter with the theory of evolution and point toward some inconsistences and flaws in the argumentation developed by my adversary. After defining crucial aspects of Aquinas’s understanding of creation, I emphasize that evolutionary changes belong to divine gubernatio, and not creatio. I also offer an analysis of the question concerning the need of a direct divine intervention in instantiation of a new species. Moving to metaphysics I comment on the Aristotelian-Thomistic substantialism, the analogical character of substantivity, and Chaberek’s alternative taxonomy of living organisms. Regarding philosophical theology, I answer the question concerning the source of the substantial form of the first representative of a new species, in reference to the categories of disposition of matter and accidental features of substances. Addressing once again metaphysical aspects of the evolutionary theory I suggest characterizing species transformation as a complex process, engaging many substantial and accidental changes.
Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P., is a Polish Dominican and theologian. He holds Ph.D. in philosophical theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA and Church Licentiate from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland. After his studies at the GTU and a fellowship at the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Studies he returned to Poland. For three years he worked as a researcher at the Thomistic Institute in Warsaw (Poland), a lecturer at the Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Warsaw and the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Krakow, and a director of Studium Dominicanum in Warsaw. He then moved to Rome where he became a professor of theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He is also a researcher at the Thomistic Institute at the same University.
1) Analysis of Augustine’s use of the concept of rationes seminales in his commentary on the creation accounts in Genesis.
2) Answer to the question of whether Augustine’s position might be regarded as evolutionary (in reference to Mivart, Zahm, and Dorlodot).
3) Analysis of Aquinas’ use of Augustine’s concept of rationes seminales.
4) Redefinition of the concept of rationes seminales within the context of hylomorphic metaphysics and constructive proposal of the Thomistic metaphysics of evolutionary transformism – compatible within the context of contemporary science.
Still, it is even less common for the contemporary accounts of ancient and medieval philosophy of causation to refer to Aristotle’s and Aquinas’s additional reflections and remarks concerning complexity of causal dependencies and different modes of causation. It is precisely these aspects of Aristotle’s and Aquinas’s reflection that are the object of my interest in the present study. I hope to show that the ancient and medieval treatment of causal explanation was by no means primitive. Quite contrary, it was sophisticated and as such it anticipated some strands of the contemporary debates and theories of causation, developed in analytic metaphysics. In the presentation, I first discuss Aristotle’s and Aquinas’s additional remarks on causation in "Physics" and "Metaphysics," and in "In physics" and "In metaphysics." In the second part, I analyze their accounts of the variety of modes of causation. As part of my research, I try to indicate points of correspondence between the classical and the contemporary (analytic) philosophy of causation.
Teoria ewolucji vs. Biblia i Kościół. Rozmowa z dr. Mariuszem Tabaczkiem OP
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Część 2:
Co z nas wyrośnie? Ewolucja człowieka. Rozmowa z dr. Mariuszem Tabaczkiem OP
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Część 3:
Co mówi Kościół na temat ewolucji? Rozmowa z dr. Mariuszem Tabaczkiem OP
Podstawy chrześcijańskiego rozumienia natury ludzkiej
Czym jest dusza ludzka?
Skąd się biorą dusze ludzkie?
Nieśmiertelność duszy ludzkiej i zmartwychwstanie
Wady genetyczne i upośledzenie – wyzwanie dla chrześcijańskiego rozumienia natury ludzkiej
https://contragentiles.pl/glowne-dzialy/teizm-chrzescijanski/kim-jest-czlowiek/
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Dear Colleagues,
What were the origins of life and of the human species? Did they require a direct divine intervention? Or maybe natural conditions and causes were sufficient for these major transitions in the history and evolution of the universe to occur? Was the created order always accompanied by the possibility or even inevitability of natural (physical) evil? And what about the experience of suffering, pain, and evil of human beings – in the face of the Christian conviction about the infinite goodness and power of God the Creator?
Answers to these questions have always sought to follow and welcome insights from various disciplines of human knowledge. However, with the increasing importance and growing challenges coming from empirical sciences, and evolutionary theories in particular, theological reflections on the origins and theodicy seem to have retreated to a more cautious and reserved position. One might argue they approach contemporary science from a secure, more metaphysical point of view. Sometimes they may even be at danger of holding too tightly to overly dogmatic philosophical-theological presuppositions and conclusions, regardless of both inspirations and difficulties raised by the contemporary scientific view of the reality.
This special issue titled “Science-Engaged Approach to Origins and Theodicy: Old Questions, New Horizons” seeks to encourage authors to make a more direct use of scientific knowledge in addressing some of the old and new questions concerning the origins and theodicy. This implies the use of scientific knowledge as an auxiliary tool that can contribute to a better understanding of certain theological topics. Can evolutionary anthropology help us to understand better the original state of first humans? Should population genetics have a decisive impact on mono- versus -polygenism debate? Can evolutionary medical understanding of pain be helpful in addressing the topic of pain in theodicy? Can psychological insights on suffering be of help when we think about suffering of humans? How can we use insights from cognitive science in the study of our behavior and moral development?
Following in the footsteps of the emerging science-engaged theology initiative, we are trying to move away from the popular methodology applied in science/theology dialogue, where philosophical-theological discourse is developed in parallel to science, with rather unique and rare cases of a true intersection. A par excellence example of what we have in mind is St. Thomas Aquinas, who integrated into his reflection the scientific knowledge of his time, thinking about theology a as supervisor who cares and reflects on the content and direction of all divisions of knowledge, for the good of humankind and its relationship with God.
All contributions that seek to reflect on various aspects of origins and theodicy in more direct reference to scientific knowledge are welcomed.
Dr. Piotr Roszak
Dr. Saša Horvat
Dr. Mariusz Tabaczek
Guest Editors
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