W.L. Lyons Brown Library 

Thomas Merton Center

Bellarmine University


Contemplation in a Technological Era:
Thomas Merton's Insight for the Twenty-First Century

 

A conference on Merton and Technology

23rd - 24th September 2011

“Can contemplation still find a place in the world of technology and conflict which is ours?”
Thomas Merton, Faith and Violence (1968, p. 215)

 


 

Speakers

 

Conference Timetable

 

Booking Information


Speakers:

Albert Borgmann.

Albert Borgmann  is Regents Professor of Philosophy at the University of Montana In Missoula, where he has taught since 1970. His special area is the philosophy of society and culture with particular emphasis on technology. Among his publications are Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life (University of Chicago Press, 1984), Crossing the Postmodern Divide (University of Chicago Press, 1992), Holding on to Reality: the Nature of Information at the Turn of the Millennium (University of Chicago Press, 1999), Power Failure: Christianity in the Culture of Technology (Brazos Press, 2003), and Real American Ethics: Taking Responsibility for Our Country (University of Chicago Press, 2007).
 

Phillip Thompson.

Phillip Thompson is the Executive Director of the Aquinas Center of Theology at Emory University. Prior to this appointment he directed the Leadership Certificate Program in the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has a Ph.D. in the History of Culture from the University of Chicago, a J.D. from the University of Georgia, and an LL.M. in Health Law from DePaul University. His publications are in the fields of religion and science, Catholic social thought, business ethics, legal ethics, bioethics, and medical ethics. His most recent book is Between Science and Religion: The Engagement of Catholic Intellectuals with Science and Technology in the Twentieth Century (Lexington, 2009).

Claire Bararacco.

Claire Badaracco is professor of communication at Marquette University. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and Rutgers University. She has published widely in academic journals including The Merton Annual. Her recent books include Prescribing Faith: Medicine, Media, and Religion in America Culture (Baylor University Press, 2007)  and Quoting God: How Media Shape Ideas about Religion and Culture (Baylor University Press, 2005).

Daniel P. Horan, OFM.

Daniel P. Horan, OFM is a Franciscan friar of Holy Name Province (NY) and an adjunct professor of religious studies at Siena College in Albany, NY.  A former Daggy Scholar, Dan was a 2010-2011 ITMS Shannon Fellow and has delivered academic papers on Merton in both the U.S. and England.  He has also given public lectures on Merton in Boston, Washington, DC, Chicago and New York City.  His work has been published in journals such as America, The Merton Annual, The Merton Journal (UK), The Heythrop Journal, Worship, Spiritual Life, and others. Dan writes regularly at www.DatingGod.org, where you can find more information about him and his work.

Kathleen Deignan, CND.

Kathleen Deignan, CND is Professor of Religious Studies at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY and the founding director of the Iona Spirituality Institute and The Thomas Berry Forum for Ecological Dialogue.  She is President of The International Thomas Merton Society, and sits on the boards of The American Teilhard Association and GreenFaith.  Composer in residence with Schola Ministries, her books include ChristSpirit: The Eschatology of Shaker ChristianityThomas Merton’s Writings on Nature and Thomas Merton: A Book of Hours.

Gray Matthews.

Gray Matthews is Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.  Gray serves the ITMS as a board member, co-editor of The Merton Annual, coordinator of the Memphis Chapter, and served as site coordinator for the ITMS Tenth General Meeting.

Paul Dekar.

Paul R. Dekar is Professor Emeritus of Evangelism/Mission, Memphis Theological Seminary, and author of Community of the Transfiguration: The Journey of a New Monastic Community, Creating the Beloved Community: A Journey With the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Building a Culture of Peace: Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, the First Seventy Years, and Thomas Merton: Twentieth-Century Wisdom for Twenty-First Century Living (Wipf and Stock, 2011).


Conference Timetable:

Friday 23rd September

Cralle Theater, Bellarmine University 

   
5.30 - 7.00 Reception and Registration
   
7.00 Albert Borgmann:

"Contemplation in a Technological Era:
Learning from Thomas Merton."

 

Saturday 24th September

Hilarys, Frazier Hall, Bellarmine University 

8.15 - 9.00

Registration and Coffee - Hilarys, Frazier Hall

9.00 - 10.00 Phillip Thompson:

"Questioning the Goal of Biological Immortality:
Mertonian Reflections on Living Eternally."

10.00 - 10.30 Coffee Break
10.30 - 11.30 Claire Bararacco:

"Equanimity and Technology."

12.00 - 1.00 Lunch - Cafe Ogle
1.30 - 2.30 Daniel P. Horan, OFM:

"Digital Natives and the Digital Self:
The Wisdom of Thomas Merton for Millennial Spirituality and Self-Understanding."

3.00 - 4.00 Kathleen Deignan, CND:

"In the Dark Night of Our Technological Barbarism:
Merton’s Light on the Matter."

4.00 - 4.30 Break
4.30 - 5.30 Gray Matthews:

"The Heart of the Fire:
Thomas Merton’s Contemplative Wisdom in an Age of Technological Dominance."

5.30 Reception and Conference Dinner
7.30 Paul Dekar:

"The Christian in a Technological World."


 

 Booking Information:

Print out and send the conference Registration Form

Registrations can also be faxed to: 502 272 8452
or can be booked by telephone using your credit card: 502 272 8177 or 8187

Fees (Including registration for the conference, refreshments, and lunch and the conference dinner on September 24th):
                Silverball $75
                Silverball $50 (Reduced Student Rate - please include photocopy of student ID)
                Silverball $95 for registrations after 09/20/11.

Checks (payable to Merton Conference) should be sent to:

                                        Dr. Paul M Pearson. Merton Conference,
                                        Thomas Merton Center, Bellarmine University,
                                        2001 Newburg Road, Louisville. KY. 40205.

Local Hotel Information:

Best Western (Airport East) - 502-456-4411
Brown Hotel (Downtown) - 1-800-555-8000
Motel 6 (Airport East) - 502-473-0000
Quality Inn and Suites (Bardstown Road) - 502-454-0451
Red Roof Inn (Airport East) - 502-456-2993
Seelbach Hilton (Downtown) - 502-585-3200

(Special rates may be available for those attending events at Bellarmine University. Please ask when booking.)

* Laws Lodge, the conference/retreat center at Louisville Seminary does have rooms available, all with private facilities. The rate is $64 a night, plus tax. This is a special rate for the Merton Conference and you would need to mention the conference when booking. Bookings can be made at: 502 992 0220.

Further information about Laws Lodge can be found on the web at:

http://www.lpts.edu/Rentals/LawsLodge/

Further information about accommodation is available at:
http://www.louisville.com
 


Click here for a campus map and directions


Financial assistance is needed to assist with funding these special events at the Thomas Merton Center. If you would be interested in assisting with funding, or becoming a major sponsor for one of these events please contact:
Dr Paul Pearson on (502) 272 8177 or by e-mail: [email protected]


Copyright (c) The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University. All rights reserved.
Photographs copyright of the Merton Legacy Trust. Not to be used without written permission.