Forum Philosophicum

In the previous issue of Forum Philosophicum, Joshua Sijuwade explores the concept of monotheism from the perspective of contemporary analytic philosophy and metaphysics. Instead of defining monotheism merely as belief in “one God” in a numerical sense, the article proposes understanding it through the notion of fundamentality — that is, belief in one ultimate or fundamental deity. Drawing on Rudolf Carnap’s method of explication and Karen Bennett’s concept of “building-fundamentality,” the paper offers a new framework for interpreting complex theological traditions, especially the plurality of divine figures present in Second Temple Judaism. In doing so, it also opens new perspectives for discussions on polytheism, interfaith dialogue, and the philosophy of religion more broadly.

The entire paper is available in open access: https://doi.org/10.35765/forphil.2025.3002.05

Joshua Sijuwade is a Teaching Fellow at the University of Birmingham (UK). He previously taught at the London School of Theology and completed his PhD in Philosophy at the University of York. His academic work focuses primarily on philosophy of religion, analytic theology, and metaphysics, particularly where these disciplines intersect. He also holds an MA in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from the University of Birmingham and a PGCE in Religious Education from King’s College London.

Photo from: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/philosophy/joshua-sijuwade

In the recent issue of Forum Philosophicum, Ward Blondé advances a bold and highly original thesis: that the existence of God—and even the classical omni-attributes—can be formally defined and argued for using contemporary tools from set theory, mereology, and computer science. Starting from Anselm of Canterbury’s notion of God as “that than which nothing greater can be conceived,” the paper develops a two-step argument aligning modern formal systems with metaphysical and theological categories. A key role is played by Georg Cantor’s Absolute Infinite, which is interpreted as both consistent and capable of grounding a unified account of reality. The result is a striking proposal: to understand God as an “Absolute Machine” underpinning both the physical and the metaphysical order.
The entire paper is available here: https://doi.org/10.35765/forphil.2025.3002.04

The author, Ward Blondé (Ghent University, Belgium), brings a notably interdisciplinary background to this project. In addition to publishing in philosophy and natural theology, he is trained as a civil engineer in physics, holds a Master’s degree in biomedical and clinical engineering techniques, and earned a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences. His work consistently explores the intersection of scientific formalisms and philosophical questions, offering analytically rigorous yet unconventional contributions to debates on God, consciousness, and the foundations of reality.

In the latest issue of Forum Philosophicum, we are pleased to highlight the article “Artificial Intelligence, Natural Intelligence, and Understanding” by Robert Kublikowski (The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin). The paper explores what—if anything—remains uniquely human in an era increasingly shaped by AI. While many aspects of language use and cognition are being taken over by artificial systems, Kublikowski asks whether rationality alone can still define human distinctiveness. Drawing on Robert Brandom’s semantic inferentialism, the article argues that what sets human intelligence apart is not merely rationality, but our capacity for understanding grounded in the normative dimensions of language. The discussion focuses on key concepts such as commitment and entitlement, showing how they structure human cognition in ways that AI does not replicate. 🔗 Read more: https://doi.org/10.35765/forphil.2025.3002.03

Robert Kublikowski is a philosopher and logician affiliated with The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, where he has been working since 2008 in the Department of Methodology of Science. He received his PhD in 2007 with a dissertation on real definitions and their functions, and in 2020 obtained his habilitation based on his work on Robert Brandom’s semantic inferentialism. His research centers on philosophy of language, methodology, and inferentialism, with a particular interest in the normative structure of reasoning and understanding. His academic path combines a strong background in logical semiotics with long-standing engagement in contemporary analytic philosophy.

In the latest issue of Forum Philosophicum, we are pleased to highlight the article “The Argument from Reason Revisited” by Charles Taliaferro (St. Olaf College). In this thought-provoking paper, Taliaferro returns to one of the most enduring challenges to naturalism and materialism—the argument from reason. He begins by reconstructing a version of the argument found in Plato’s Phaedo, then explores whether this classical line of reasoning remains relevant for contemporary forms of naturalism. Taliaferro argues that it does: properly understood, the argument poses a serious difficulty for certain naturalist accounts of rationality. The paper concludes with a careful defense of the argument against prominent critics such as G.E.M. Anscombe, Graham Oppy, and Peter van Inwagen, offering a robust and updated case for its philosophical significance.

Charles Taliaferro has been a professor at St. Olaf College for 36 years, previously teaching at the University of Massachusetts, the University of Notre Dame, and Middlesex Community College. He is the author, co-author, or editor of over 35 books—including several published by Cambridge University Press—and his work has been translated into numerous languages. Taliaferro serves as Editor-in-Chief of Open Theology and has delivered invited lectures at leading institutions worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and many others. His recent books include Is God Invisible? An Essay on Religion and Aesthetics (co-authored with Jil Evans), praised for its interdisciplinary depth and originality, and Religions: A Quick Immersion. With a distinguished career spanning philosophy of religion, metaphysics, and aesthetics, Taliaferro continues to shape contemporary debates at the intersection of reason and faith.

https://doi.org/10.35765/forphil.2025.3002.02

In the latest issue of Forum Philosophicum, we are pleased to highlight the article “A Naturalist Theology: Christianity Within a Holistic Paradigm” by Finley Lawson (Canterbury Christ Church University).

Lawson challenges the widespread assumption that naturalism and Christianity are fundamentally opposed by arguing that this conflict rests on a categorical error—namely, the idea that reality must be divided into two incompatible domains: material and non-material. Drawing on the holistic ontologies of Michael Esfeld and Hans Primas, the article proposes a form of expansive naturalism in which reality is understood as ontologically holistic and non-Boolean, thereby dissolving the apparent dichotomy between scientific and theological accounts of the world. Rather than “solving” the debate between naturalism and anti-naturalism, Lawson shows how a scientifically informed holism can meaningfully integrate naturalistic metaphysics into Christian theological reflection.

The author of the article is Finley Lawson, who was awarded his PhD in 2024 at Canterbury Christ Church University for research on applying holistic metaphysics to paradox in Christology, and was elected Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion in 2025.

The issue "Christian Philosophy Facing Naturalism" is a special post-conference volume based on the conference of the same name, organised by Ignatianum University in Cracow in 2024. We warmly encourage readers interested in philosophy of religion, metaphysics, and the science–theology dialogue to explore this special issue and Lawson’s thought-provoking contribution.
https://doi.org/10.35765/forphil.2025.3002.01

In September 2024, the Institute of Philosophy of Ignatianum University in Cracow (Instytut Filozofii UIK) hosted the third international conference “Christian Philosophy Facing Naturalism.” The conference gathered over 40 philosophers from all around the world. During the event, participants explored the long-standing debate between naturalism and anti-naturalism. Papers analyzed how today’s cultural dominance of naturalism challenges Christian philosophy to engage critically with its principles and implications. Contributions also examined naturalism’s potential to both challenge and enrich Christian philosophy, offering opportunities to reassess traditional solutions and develop new perspectives. Discussions included historical and systematic dimensions of the naturalism vs. anti-naturalism dispute, emphasizing the evolving position of Christian thought within this framework. Some of these papers and discussions inspired and motivated the elaboration of the articles which we have the pleasure to introduce in the following issue. We do wish you a stimulating and fruitful read!

Vol. 30 No. 2 (2025): Christian Philosophy Facing Naturalism | Forum Philosophicum In September 2024, the Institute of Philosophy of Ignatianum University in Cracow (Poland) hosted the third international conference “Christian Philosophy facing Naturalism.” The conference gathered over 40 philosophers from all around the world. During the event, participants explored the long-...

Happy to share the splendid news!

This special issue is devoted to the philosophical legacy of Nicolai Hart‑mann (1882–1950), one of the most compelling and systematic thinkers of twentieth‑century philosophy. In recent decades, Hartmann’s work has attracted renewed scholarly interest, particularly in light of contempo‑rary debates in ontology, philosophical anthropology, epistemology and the theory of values. Researchers have begun to rediscover the depth and relevance of his layered ontology, his concept of the real, and his critical engagement with both Neo‑Kantianism and German idealism. They are also starting to explore the Russian context of Hartmann’s thought.

Guest Editors: Alicja Pietras, Frédéric Tremblay, Leszek Kopciuch

All papers available in open-access!
https://czasopisma.ignatianum.edu.pl/fp/issue/view/216

Hope you will find it interesting and will join us in 2026!

📢 Join Us for a Landmark Discussion!
4th International Conference on Christian Philosophy
🗓️ 22-23 September 2026 | Ignatianum University, Krakow
✨ Theme: Christian Philosophy: Between Christian and Post-Christian Worldviews

In an era of shifting beliefs and cultural transformation, Christian philosophy faces profound questions. How does it respond to the rise of post-Christian ideas while staying rooted in timeless truth? This conference brings together renowned scholars to examine:

🔸 The tension between Christian tradition and modern secular thought
🔸 How post-Christian movements (ecological, gender, technological) reshape society
🔸 The enduring relevance of Christian wisdom in a changing world
🔸 Can Christianity re-engage a post-Christian culture?

Open to academics, clergy, students, and seekers of truth, this event will foster meaningful exchange and intellectual discovery.

📩 For inquiries: [email protected]
🔔 Follow for speaker announcements & registration details!

We are happy to inform you that the summer issue of Forum Philosophicum has just been published!

29/1 – Spring 2024 Opis...2

Seems very promising!

We are pleased to inform that the following individuals have agreed to give a lecture or participate in a panel discussion during the conference 😎

Happy to share that Professor Charles Taliaferro (St. Olaf College, USA) is one of the keynote speakers, who will give a lecture "The Argument from Reason Revisited" at our conference "Christian Philosophy facing Naturalism" in Krakow on 24–25 September 2024.
Submissions are accepted until May 16, 2024. The form and more information are available at https://christianphilosophy.ignatianum.edu.pl/christian-philosophy-facing-naturalism-2024/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gytzfP0HY94

Charles Taliaferro invites to the conference "Christian Philosophy facing Naturalism" 24–25 Sep 2024 Professor Charles Taliaferro (St. Olaf College, USA) is one of the keynote speakers, who will give a lecture "The Argument from Reason Revisited" at the conf...