Teilhard Research Articles

Teilhard’s Synthesis as Impetus for Greater Care for Our Earth

Early in life, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin knew he must love both God and Earth with equal passion. Yet, it took him many years to formulate his famous phrase “communion with God through Earth,” (Teilhard de Chardin 1968a, 57) and many more years to articulate in a profound way how the interaction of incarnation with evolution provides a framework for this formula. Today, it is recognized that a deeper sense of matter/spirit, of incarnation/evolution, allows the tapping into the sacredness of matter in a way that will motivate us to develop a flourishing humanity as well as a flourishing Earth. This article explores these concepts.

¿Una hipóstasis en tres naturalezas? El lugar del cosmos en la persona de Cristo

The urgency of caring for the planet and scientific visions of the world have highlighted the cosmos as an authentic otherness that cannot be reduced to the mediation of human beings or man as a “microcosm”. From a Christological interpretation based on the definition of Chalcedon, a reading of the link of the cosmos with Christ through human nature, the microcosm, has been popularized. For its part, a theological tradition, in Teilhard de Chardin and Raimon Panikkar, has taken fundamental steps to overcome such an interpretative scheme. It has been recognized that by associating the created cosmos solely with human mediation, there is a risk of turning the cosmos into an instrument of use and domination. It is therefore urgent to recognize the autonomy and otherness of the cosmos and to unite it with the divine and with the human in Christ, proceeding in fidelity to the spirit of Chalcedon.

Svoboda jako smysl stvoření a evoluční význam Kristova kříže v díle Teilharda de Chardin

Commentary on meaning of the cross of Christ according to Teilhard de Chardin.

Идеи космизма как философское основание эволюционно-экологического мышления (размышление над книгой)

Evolutionary-ecological thinking, in contemporary conditions, is a relevant di­rection in the synthesis of evolutionism and ecology. The ideas of wholeness, organicism, and historicity, which form the core of the reflections of the main representatives of the philosophy of Russian cosmism, largely set the world­view tone for this direction. These ideas are becoming increasingly relevant in modern conditions, where space exploration presents itself as a global prob­lem related to overcoming the negative consequences of the ecological crisis. The author’s focus is on the collective monograph Russian Cosmism: N.F. Fe­dorov, K.E. Tsiolkovsky, V.I. Vernadsky, A.L. Chizhevsky, published in the series Russian Philosophy of the First Half of the XXth Century, whose authors dis­cuss the worldview and methodological specifics of the concepts of Russian cosmists in the context of contemporary problems (including ecological and evolutionary ones). Among them, especially important in this context are the con­cepts of the common task (N.N. Fedorov), the cosmic philosophy (K.E. Tsiol­kovsky), the doctrine of the noosphere (V.I. Vernadsky), and heliobiology (A.L. Chizhevsky). It is shown that the ideas of cosmism and evolutionary-eco­logical thinking are connected with such directions as A. Bergson’s creative evolution, P. Teilhard de Chardin’s theistic evolutionism, planetary evolution, and macroevolutionary research. It is precisely at the scale of the biosphere and noosphere that evolutionary and ecological principles intersect the most. The construction of the noosphere, taking into account contemporary scientific and methodological realities, is a direction of evolutionary-ecological thinking in our time

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, cible insaisissable du Saint-Office (1931-50)

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) was a source of concern for his Order. His superiors tried to protect him from inquiries by the Holy Office. In 1931, his friendship with Édouard Le Roy led to the opening of his first file for evolutionism. When the encyclical Humani generis was proclaimed on 12 August 1950, a persistent rumour suggested that Teilhard de Chardin was one of the principal triggers behind the Roman document. The opening of the Pius XII archives provides an insight into this document and a better understanding of the paradox of Teilhard de Chardin, always accused, never condemned.

The Extent and Impact of Racism and Eugenics in the Writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.

The impact of eugenics on the early-twentieth-century scientific community was vast, including nearly all evolutionary scientists, paleontologists, and biologists. The Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French paleontologist, was no exception. This article analyzes the full extent and impact of racist and eugenic ideas in Teilhard’s writings between 1905 and 1955. It examines the underlying causes of eugenics as specific philosophical and scientific arguments and traces the lineage of these arguments within the writings and letters of Teilhard. This research reveals a consistent colonialist and paternalistic racism within Teilhard’s writings, as well as a firm commitment to eugenics in the last fifteen years of his life. This study concludes with a review of the lack of discussion of race and eugenics within Teilhardian scholarship, and points to a way forward.

A Pied Theological Cosmology: Alejandro García-Rivera’s Gift to Science

The work of the late Alejandro García-Rivera has been overlooked as a contribution to theological engagement with science. A significant obstacle to appreciating it as such is the view that his theological cosmology marks a problematic shift from Latinx theological aesthetics to an uncritical engagement with the work of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. This article engages his oeuvre in response to that critique. Using Hans Urs von Balthasar’s concept of “theo-drama,” it argues that García-Rivera not only fits Teilhard into the broader mosaic of his work successfully, but that García-Rivera’s final work illumines his whole oeuvre as a “gift to science.” It shows how García-Rivera adapts his account of the beauty in the “little stories” of the pueblo to little places in the natural world, in order to help us see their beauty as an objective reality calling us to participate in their care. Thus, the article portrays García-Rivera’s body of work as a way to engage the scientifically-minded through a sensibility for natural beauty, born of mestizaje, popular piety, and the cross.

Teilhardian Evolutionism: A philosophical reconsideration

Philosophers, right from the Classical Greek period, have grappled with the problem of the origin, nature, and future of the universe. On one pole of the debate evolutionists who see the universe as an organism in the process of cosmic evolution. On the other pole of the debate are creationists who hold that reality was created by a supreme being. Interestingly, this debate has led to heated disagreements between these two rival camps. In the face of this problem, this work explores the view of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who proposes a unique theory of evolution which integrates some ideas of the creationists. This cosmic evolution, according to him, is the ongoing and unfolding process of the creative impulse, which is personalized in the human person until it reaches its apex in personal relationship with the transcendent at the Omega Point. This work attempts to expose Teilhard de Chardin’s entire theory of cosmic evolution; the stages of the process of cosmic evolution, the laws which govern the process and the end to which it tends, that is, the Omega Point. It points out the strengths and weaknesses of his arguments as well as the implications of his entire theory for the present human society. In the final analysis, this research work maintains that despite its obvious downsides, Teilhard de Chardin’s Evolutionism is remarkable for its synthesis of science with religion, its revelation of the uniqueness of the emergence of internet in the evolutionary continuum and its prognostication of a glorious future predestined for the cosmos from the very onset of evolution. Analytic method of research was employed.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) y su obra geológica y paleontológica

After the death of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin in April 1955, his philosophical and theological essays were published, translated and disseminated throughout the world, constituting one of the most outstanding publishing phenomena of the 20th century. Teilhard focused on cosmic evolution over time. Based on the data provided by Earth and Life Sciences, he attempted a synthesis between science, philosophy, theology and mysticism. When the compilation of his geological and paleontological works was published in eleven volumes in Switzerland in 1971, the Teilhardian wave had already passed. For this reason, the dissemination of the volumes of scientific work was very limited. The objective of this work is to recover the least known aspects of Teilhard’s research, those related to geology and palaeontology.

Философская рефлексия как онтологическая данность и ее роль в современной практике

This paper touches upon the issue of philosophical reflexion as one of the leading themes in modern ontology, epistemology and praxiology. In the center of scientific and research attention is the phenomenon of philosoph-ical reflexion, its origins in ancient science, its further study in the works of P. de Chardin, thinkers of the classi-cal school and representatives of analytical philosophy. The authors have identified the ontological bases of the phenomenon under consideration: the focus on cognition and the purpose of this kind of activity, the need for self-analysis and self-knowledge, and the formation of a holistic and critical worldview. Conclusion dwells upon the fact that reflexion and philosophical reflexion have a number of similar features: thus, the former is characterized as a generalized representation with an emotional and value component, and the latter as a form of human intellectual activity aimed at self-reflection and self-knowledge. As a practical example of reflexion actualization, the authors turned to the pedagogical sphere, which reflects the interaction between teachers and students in order to improve the quality and level of the educational process on the part of its active subjects.

What is the noosphere? Planetary superorganism, major evolutionary transition and emergence

AbstractThe noosphere remains an underappreciated and understudied idea despite that it provides unique hope towards a positive and meaningful global integration. A core reason for this lack of attention is that its very definition is often unclear both in the West with Teilhard de Chardin and in the East with Vernadsky. I show how Living Systems Theory can clarify two fundamental meanings: the noosphere as a planetary superorganism and the noosphere as a sphere of mind, storing, processing and spreading information. I also present two key aspects to better grasp the concept: the noosphere as a planetary major evolutionary transition and the noosphere as the emergence of something radically new, which might include a planetary consciousness, or a planet seeking to find or contact other noospheres.

Astrobiology, a New Chapter in the Book of Nature

ABSTRACT The two books' metaphor (book of scripture and book of nature) provides an invitation for re-examining traditional Christian doctrine and practice when extra-terrestrial life is discovered. Christian churches are encouraged to refine their teachings in three areas: (1) anthropocentric creation; (2) the fall; and (3) imago Dei. The work Teilhard de Chardin lays the groundwork for these conversations. I propose that the discovery of extra-terrestrial life could precipitate a re-imagination of church doctrine in these areas. Furthermore, this conversion of thought will be valuable, in a practical sense, toward a renewed sense of gratitude and stewardship toward life on earth.

TEODOSIJUS DOBŽANSKI I EVOLUCIJA ČOVEČANSTVA: JEDAN DRUGAČIJI PRISTUP

The text is a plausible presentation and review of the main work of Theodosius Dobzhansky (Theodosius Grigorievich Dobzhansky) - The Evolution of Humanity. He tries to show and prove that Dobzhansky tries, and largely succeeds, in offering a different, dialectical interpretation of the evolution of the human species, i.e. the evolution of humanity. In line with, but also in contrast to, traditional Darwinism, Dobžanski insists on the claim that evolution, primarily biological, is not over, but that it continues, despite human/cultural intervention, namely together with it, which tries to influence and change the directions of previous natural flows and processes. Biology and culture have become interdependent and interfering during the millennial history, thus, man imposes himself as the main and most responsible factor in the fate of the human race and the survival of the human community/species, but also the totality and entirety of planetary biodiversity, as necessary prerequisites for his own survival. In his research on the evolution of humanity, Dobzhansky starts from the inspiring views of some well-known predecessors, such as Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, however, we can argue that Dobžanski influenced many of his contemporaries, including Avram Noam Chomsky, especially when it comes to linguistic research into the genesis and origin of human language and the influence of transformational-generative grammar on the development of the human mind, equally so, human brain. At the same time, we can state that his researches correspond and coincide with the researches and ethical positions of some contemporary bioethicists, culturologists and philosophers of biology, as well as with the positions of many like-minded people and followers.

Жанровые особенности антиутопического научно-фантастического романа Пьера Буля «Планета обезьян»: коммуникативный аспект

The enduring popularity of 20th century science fiction authors among readers of all age categories has been noted in numerous works of literary scholars. An extremely important aspect is the fact that the author and the reader must have a common language in order for communication to be effective. The relevance of the study is due to the growing interest in the problem of interpreting the genre of science fiction works. The aim of this study is to try to trace the synthesis of genre forms from the point of view of communicativism and the theories of C. Darwin and T. de Chardin in the novel "Planet of the Apes" by the famous French fiction writer Pierre Boulle. Darwin and T. de Chardin in the novel "Planet of the Apes" by the famous French fiction writer Pierre BoulleIn the course of the study, the methods of contextual literary analysis, cognitive-discourse analysis, as well as stylistic and genre analysis were applied. As a result of the study, the conclusions were obtained that the novel "Planet of the Apes" by P. Boulle combines elements of the genre of science fiction novel, philosophical parable, utopia and dystopia. The novel is a satirical work, touching upon the themes of scientific progress, communication, evolution and human society, which are topical at present. The author, when creating a work, follows literary conventions or deliberately goes against them, creating something innovative. The genre of science fiction has been and remains a synthetic genre, incorporating elements of various genres, which intricately intertwined, enter into communication with the reader, helping him to create fictional worlds. Scientific novelty of the research consists in the fact that for the first time in Russia the study of genre originality of P. Boulle's work in the aspect of communication with the reader is undertaken. The article may be useful for literary scholars, postgraduates, students and all those interested in the problems of genre synthesis in modern science fiction.

Kazimierz Kłósak reading and assessment of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s position on the issue of the creation of man and his nature

Artykuł jest próbą odpowiedzi na pytanie, w jaki sposób Kazimierz Kłósak odczytywał i interpretował poglądy Pierre’a Teilharda de Chardin w kwestii powstania człowieka i jego natury. Ukazuje on, że chociaż krakowski filozof popularyzował w Polsce twórczość francuskiego przyrodnika, to jednak niekiedy z nim polemizował i swoiście go interpretował. Kluczowym zagadnieniem była próba zrozumienia aktu stworzenia przez Boga duszy ludzkiej w kontekście ewolucji. Odpowiedź Teilharda brzmiała, że dusza ludzka wykształciła się na drodze ewolucji, gdyż duch egzystował w pramaterii; odpowiednie złożenie materii wygenerowało zjawiska duchowe. Chociaż Kłósak próbuje obronić Teilharda przed zarzutem o materializm, ostatecznie nie udaje mu się ocalić go dla ortodoksji. Zgodnie bowiem z klasycznym twierdzeniem, określonym przez św. Tomasza z Akwinu i popieranym przez Kłósaka, dusza ludzka została stworzona z nicości własnej i nicości podmiotu (ex nihilo sui et subiecti). W ujęciu Teilharda dusza ludzka powstała z duszy zwierzęcej, a więc powstała z nicości własnej, ale nie z nicości podmiotu. Rozwiązanie Teilharda nie jest więc „stworzeniem” w ścisłym tego słowa znaczeniu. Na kanwie głównego wątku artykuł podejmuje ważne kwestie metodologiczne dotyczące badania problemu początków człowieka i stworzenia duszy ludzkiej.

ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY FOR A “NEW HUMANISM”: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM TEILHARD DE CHARDIN AND POPE FRANCIS

Researchers from different fields argue that civilization has unsustainable projects and has reached extreme limits in its evolutionary trajectory. One aggravating factor, among others, is the dramatic environmental crisis. Considering this situation, the research intends to off er clues for the blossoming of a new planetary consciousness to be cultivated in the form of an ecological spirituality. That’s why it's crucial to know, at first in a succinct way, the civilizational imbalance that the Covid-19 pandemic has uncovered. Next, we turn to Teilhard de Chardin who speaks of "critical points" in the course of the evolutionary process. They signal the birth of something new, topic two. The third and fourth topics are dedicated to the contributions of Teilhard de Chardin and Pope Francis, respectively, to the deepening of a spirituality that responds to the ecological crisis and, consequently, inspires a new humanism. The most significant result of the research points to the discovery of the underlying mystical perspective in Laudato si'.
 KEYWORDS: Teilhard de Chardin. Pope Francis. Crisis of Civilization. Ecological Spirituality. New humanism.

Kristus Kosmis Menurut Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Science and theology are often confronted each other since these two disciplines have developed their respective methods. The first is based on empirical research, while the later is based on faith reflection. At the same time, it seems difficult to find theological reflection which bases its reflection on scientific invention. Among a few theologians who base their theological reflection on scientific invention is Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. This article, by way of a literature research, explains Teilhard’s reflection on Christology based on his view of evolution theory. In this article, the author combines Teilhard’s writings about Christological reflection and other theologians’ writings exploring Teilhard’s thoughts. Teilhard was influenced by Henri Bergson’s view of evolution. Nevertheless, quite different from Bergson’s view about evolution as an aimless movement, Teilhard, on the contrary, sees the evolution as a process with a definite purpose to the Omega point. The Omega point is another name of Christ, as the apex of the evolution of all creation.

Социальные практики экологического сознания: региональный аспект

The article analyzes the environmental consciousness of the region's population as a special property of reflecting the social nature of a person, expressed through personal concern about the state of the environment, through the acquisition of environmental information and practical activities to preserve and restore the natural environment. Particular attention in the article is given to theoretical approaches to the consideration of the phenomenon of ecological consciousness. Human consciousness as a "specific property of organized complexity" is considered in the works of Teilhard de Chardin, V. I. Vernadsky, I. R. Prigogine. In the philosophical direction (R. S. Karpinskaya, I. K. Liseev, N. N. Moiseev), a co-evolutionary approach is used, which reflects the unity of human, society and the nature that undergoes changes. The study of environmental consciousness with the help of a rational sociological approach involves the use of statistical methods for researching a particular region. Understanding the ecological consciousness as the three-element system "man – society – nature" enables us to compose a model of ecological consciousness in the form of three components: world perception, information, activity. In the course of the author's sociological study, it was found that a significant number of the of the Saratov region residents (88%) are personally concerned about environmental problems. At the same time, the population is informed both about global environmental problems and about the environmental situation in the region. However, residents of the region towns do not consider themselves sufficiently informed about the environmental problems of their place of residence. Most of the respondents (71%) take an active part in the implementation of environmental activities, for example, 67.5% participated in community work days to clean up the territory; 22.8% – participated in tree planting campaigns; 49.1% try not to use plastic bags and bottles, if possible, etc. The conclusion made is that the environmental consciousness of the population in the Saratov region fully corresponds to the compiled model, due to the fact that the population feels personal responsibility for the state of the environment, is aware of the environmental principles that enable conscious environmental activities of the nature protection to be performed.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's evolutionary theology and its reception in theological and scientific literature

In his unique position at the intersection of science and spirituality, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin is a Jesuit priest, paleontologist, and philosopher. As Teilhard de Chardin attempted to reconcile the seemingly absurd realms of faith and science, this article examines his life and views. In Teilhard de Chardin's philosophy, the "Omega Point" represents the highest point of complexity and consciousness in the universe. The framework is discussed in the context of his views on cosmic evolution, human consciousness, and the intricate interconnection between all life forms. The article attempts to provide an overview of the reception of Teilhard de Chardin's ideas within both religious and secular communities.

First results of the biostratigraphy and geochronology of the classic Nihewan Fauna, China

The Nihewan Basin is infilled by a relatively complete Pliocene to Pleistocene sequence, rich mammalian fossils and containing many Palaeolithic artefacts, implying that it is a unique location for Quaternary multidisciplinary study. Fossil excavations in these deposits have been carried out for nearly a century. The systematic study of the fossils by Teilhard de Chardin and Piveteau in 1930 laid the foundations for the classic Nihewan Faunal assemblage, which has been widely followed as a standard for the Early Pleistocene biochronology in eastern Asia. With the availability of magnetostratigraphic analyses on several sections in the Nihewan basin, a comprehensive geochronological study is timely pending. Here we report the results of a comprehensive survey of the Xiashagou section, where the classic Nihewan Fauna was discovered. By synthesising the lithostratigraphical, biostratigraphical, and magnetostratigraphical information, together with measurements taken by the authors, the total thickness of the Nihewan Formation in the Xiashagou section being 116 m. Furthermore, the geochronological study demonstrates that the classic Nihewan Fauna was originally recovered from at least 6 fossil horizons, spanning from ∼2.4 Ma to ∼1.8 Ma, i.e., the early Early Pleistocene. The new evidence from the Xiashagou section also suggests several cycles of fluctuations in the biodiversity and population of the classic Nihewan Fauna during the early Pleistocene. The preliminary correlation of these cycles matches the short periods of glaciation in the early Pleistocene.