![]() |
In an era when science and religion are widely viewed as separate, Ursula Goodenough combines both interests. A professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, she is also an amateur theologian.
Modern science is sometimes seen as intimidating, incomprehensible, irrelevant, and even heretical. Goodenough has found new ways to fuse science and spirituality into a "religious naturalism" that sees a spiritual presence throughout the natural world. In her visit to Drury, this distinguished scientist will talk about the personal explorations and discoveries that brought forth her unique insights into worlds tangible and intangible.
Goodenough is the author of the bestselling textbook Genetics and also wrote the popular discourse on religion and science The Sacred Depths of Nature, which was named Oustanding Academic Book of 1999 by Choice. She has served as president of the Society of Cell Biologists, and has also served as president of the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science.
"Goodenough's emancipation, through what she calls "a covenant with Mystery," represents her very personal, hard-won experience with the Divine ... [Her] religious naturalism is inspired by the scientific account of cosmic evolution, a story that has important things to say about the universe, where we came from and our place in the larger scheme of things."
- Scientific American
Some bio information courtesy of Washington University in St. Louis.
Related Links:
Washington University in St. Louis
The Sacred Depths of Nature at Barnes & Noble