Can Science Give Us All the Answers? A Challenge to Brian Cox

ISCAST and St Paul’s Cathedral invite you to this public lecture and discussion on 22 November with Rev. Dr Stephen Ames. After the event, you are invited to join Stephen and others for dinner near the Cathedral.

In his 2021 BBC series, Universe, physicist Brian Cox rightly acclaims our scientific knowledge. On this tiny speck of a planet, we have learned so much about this vast universe, with much more to learn. 

However, when it comes to the “big” questions like “Why is there anything at all?” and “Why are we here?”, Cox claims that these are not questions for philosophy or theology. Instead, he thinks these too are scientific questions, because they are questions about nature.

In this talk, Stephen Ames will argue that while Brian Cox is scientifically excellent, he is philosophically and theologically mistaken.

Stephen will respond specifically with answers to these two big questions.

An optional dinner with Stephen will be occurring near the Cathedral after the lecture for further discussion.

Please note that while this is intended to be principally an in-person event, there is an opportunity to join on Zoom.

Rev. Dr Stephen Ames has PhDs in physics and philosophy of science. He is a priest in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, a Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, and an Honorary Fellow of the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne. He is also a fellow of ISCAST–Christianity & Science in Conversation.