Compassion has become an increasingly popular theme in recent years both among scholars (and practitioners) involved in the broader science and religion dialogue and among those participating in the dialogue among religions.
This session introduces and welcomes feedback on a proposal for intentionally bringing together scientists and religionists around this shared interest by organizing a special session on compassion at the Parliament of World Religions (Melbourne, December 2009), sponsored by the International Society of Science and Religion and Metanexus Institute.
Compassion, Science and the Religions. The session will begin with an introduction by Solomon Katz, professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and board member of each of the three main organizations involved in planning the event. Professor Katz will outline the history of the convergence up to this point, and the general contours of the proposal.
The Emergence of Compassion. This will be followed by a presentation by LeRon Shults on a related project planned for May 2009 in Lesbos, Greece, on the conditions (scientific and religious) that facilitate the emergence of empathic care-giving agency across boundaries such as religion, race, class and gender. This is part of a broader project on Transforming Compassion sponsored by Stiftelsen Arkivet, an institute for peace-building in Norway. Dr. Shults is scientific director of the project at Arkivet, and professor of theology and philosophy at the University of Agder in Kristiansand, Norway.
Compassion as a Common Value. A third formal presentation will be made by Anindita Balslev, who collaborates with several National Institutes. Professor Balslev has conducted significant research on compassion and directs programs on 'cross-cultural conversation' (CCC), with focuses on dialogue of science and religion, meeting of cultures, and the encounter of world-religions. She will describe some of her work and report on a recent conference on compassion in Hamburg, Germany, where she served as co-host.
Panel Discussion. In addition to the three speakers, the panel will include some other experts on compassion attending the conference and members of the Metanexus Institute. This will be an open conversation, inviting questions on any of the presentations as well as concerns or suggestions about next steps for preparing for Melbourne in 2009.