The University of Notre Dame’s Center for Philosophy of Religion (CPR) has been awarded a three-year, $1.4 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation to host a series of Summer Seminars in Philosophy of Religion to cultivate a new generation of scholars.
Led by Michael Rea, the Rev. John A. O'Brien Professor of Philosophy, and Laura Frances Callahan, an associate professor of philosophy, the project will annually offer 20 graduate students a two-week intensive seminar series in philosophy of religion. During that time, they will be taught by 10 distinguished visiting faculty from a range of disciplines, including philosophy, theology, psychology, and more.
“We’re aiming to bring junior scholars into an environment where they can both receive valuable training and mentorship on cutting-edge topics in philosophy of religion and also build lasting connections with one another,” said Rea, who co-directs CPR with Callahan.
In 2027, the center will focus its seminar theme around “Disagreement, Humility, and Polarization,” with sessions taught by philosophers, psychologists, and theologians. During those two weeks, scholars will explore questions such as “How could we know God or have faith in a world where religious traditions disagree sharply about what God is like — and where those divisions themselves contribute to unrest and hatred?” and “Is something like humility sufficient to save us from fueling religious division?” as well as “What insights are there from sociology and psychology on religious communities, belonging, and changing values in a polarized era?”
The program will pivot to a new theme in 2028, “Religious Experience and Spiritual Meaning,” then follow with “Technology, AI, and Mind” in 2029.
“At Notre Dame, we have scholars with strengths in all these areas, and the CPR has been a leader in developing those topics,” said Matthew Benton, a seminar fellow and researcher with CPR. “We are a perfect fit for hosting these seminars and fostering these connections with visiting faculty and students.”
In addition to engaging in thought-provoking discussions and developing connections with their cohort, each student will also be a part of a mentorship program and receive research feedback from senior scholars working on topical themes. Since the philosophy of religion is a small subfield, CPR leaders hope to foster a community of like-minded scholars who share a bold curiosity around epistemological, religious, and societal issues and are also able to integrate the most current research across relevant academic disciplines.
“We’re aiming to make a generation-shaping investment in junior scholars with interests in philosophy of religion,” Callahan said. “We hope participants come away with a deeper understanding of and interest in philosophy of religion, and we also hope they form philosophical communities and friendships that last for decades.”
Applications for the 2027 session are due by Jan. 15.
