Purposeful Lab
Explore purpose in our universe and purpose in your life. Join biologist Dr. Dan Kuebler as he talks with scientists, philosophers, and theologians about the important issues that impact our understanding of God, the cosmos, and ourselves. Previously produced by the Magis Center, Purposeful Lab is now proudly produced by Franciscan University of Steubenville. New episodes are available to watch for free on FaithandReason.com.
Episodes
How can we unite faith and science in the search for truth? In this conversation with Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, provost and theology professor at Franciscan University, Dr. Dan Kuebler explains why he wrote his book Darwin and Doctrine: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism. They also discuss how we can approach scientific theories like evolution in light of the Catholic faith.
How can we know through reason that God exists? Dr. Dan Kuebler and Dr. Logan Gage, philosophy professor at Franciscan University, explore the arguments for God’s existence, intelligent design, and the connection between scientific and philosophical reason. They also talk about the works of St. John Henry Newman, the newest Doctor of the Church.
Modern society often presents science as a field that can stand completely alone, but is that true? Dr. Michael Hanby, professor of religion and philosophy of science at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute at the Catholic University of America and author of No God, No Science, explains to Dr. Dan Kuebler the relationship between science, theology, and philosophy—and why the Christian doctrine of creation is essential to understan...
Can the faith coincide with—and even enrich—evolutionary theory? Dr. Dan Kuebler talks with Dr. Matthew Ramage, theology professor at Benedictine College, to unpack Pope Benedict XVI’s writings on creation, why evolutionary theory doesn’t mean God’s creative power is any less, and how God’s creation works as a “symphony.”
Dr. Jordan Haddad, professor of dogmatic theology at Notre Dame Seminary, sets the stage for the evolutionary discussions of the 19th and 20th centuries. He shares with Dr. Dan Kuebler the perspectives of different Church leaders on man’s bodily origin, while still maintaining that the human soul is uniquely created by God.
In this season of Purposeful Lab, Dr. Dan Kuebler explores the origins of humanity from a Catholic perspective.
He sits down with Dr. Shane Owens, theology professor at Franciscan University, to talk about the papal encyclical Humani generis, how the Church upholds truth while allowing exploration of new ideas, and the creation narrative in Genesis.
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Father Michael Baggot, LC, professor of bioethics at Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, shares with Dr. Dan Kuebler about his vocation story and what led him to study transhumanism.
They discuss the philosophies behind transhumanism, why it’s more prevalent than you think, the ethics of emerging technology and enhancements, and what Catholics can bring to the conversation.
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Transhumanists want to use technology to alter our human condition, but what does it mean to be human?
Dr. Paul Symington, chair of Franciscan University’s Philosophy Department, joins Dr. Dan Kuebler to talk about why we are both body and soul, what we understand (and don’t understand) about consciousness, Elon Musk’s Neuralink, and if there’s any overlap between transhumanist and Christian views.
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What is AI, really?
Dr. Dan Kuebler and Dr. Fernanda Psihas, computer science and physics professor at Franciscan University, explore all things artificial intelligence, including how AI works, why using ChatGPT is different from having a human conversation, how bias appears in algorithms, and where the future of AI is headed.
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Genetic engineering has been brought from science fiction into reality, but it raises many ethical questions.
Dr. Daniel Kuebler and Dr. Derek Doroski, a Franciscan University engineering and biology professor, discuss the moral dilemma of genetic engineering, addressing everything from how it can help produce medical products such as insulin to the dangers of genetically modifying humans.
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Dr. Dan Kuebler talks with Dr. Alex Plato, philosophy professor at Franciscan University, about the impact of technology, for good and for ill, on society and on the human person.
They explore how rapid technological advances have drastically altered our relationships with each other, ourselves, nature, and God—and how we always have the freedom to make more virtuous choices.
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In the new season of Purposeful Lab, Dr. Dan Kuebler discusses transhumanism, exploring how humans interact with technology and how technology changes us.
He talks with Dr. Michael Deem, professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health, about the history of transhumanism, why the movement has escalated in recent years, and its ethical implications.
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Dr. Abigail Favale, author of The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory, and Dr. Dan Kuebler explore the meaning of sex and gender, how modern culture and the feminist movement have fallen away from this truth, and how Catholic Church teaching provides a fuller vision of the reality of man and woman.
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Dr. Dan Kuebler and Dr. Andrew Sodergren, director of Psychological Services at Ruah Woods Psychological Services, discuss the rise of gender dysphoria, as well as the importance of integrating a Catholic understanding of human sexuality into psychology and therapy.
Listen to more Purposeful Lab episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.
Dr. Dan Kuebler and Dr. Paul Hruz, professor of pediatrics, endocrinology, and diabetes at the Washington University School of Medicine, talk about the difference between gender dysphoria and disorders of sexual development, the dangers of gender-affirming care, and how medical treatment can better work toward true health.
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Dr. Rashad Rehman talks with Dr. Dan Kuebler about the definition of gender and how the term has been misconstrued, what intersex conditions are, and the ethical treatment of these conditions. Dr. Rashad Rehman is a professor of philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville. His primary area of research is in bioethics, specifically bioethical issues concerning sex and gender. He also maintains interests in metaphysics, the p...
In this season of Purposeful Lab, host Dr. Dan Kuebler explores the nature of man and woman. He talks with Dr. Stephen Hildebrand about higher education today, why people are struggling with what it means to be male and female, and how Christianity helps us be who God created us to be. Dr. Stephen Hildebrand is the vice president for Academic Affairs and a professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
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