Paris: Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities (MBZUH), in partnership with the French Institute for Islamic Studies, has successfully concluded the Third International Conference on Philosophy, Belief, Science, and Reason. The event took place from December 15th to 17th at Sorbonne University in Paris.
According to Emirates News Agency, this three-day conference marked the inaugural Arab-French philosophy conference hosted by the Sorbonne. It gathered philosophers, scholars, and researchers worldwide to explore the interplay between faith, scientific inquiry, and rational thought, while examining areas of convergence and divergence between belief and scientific knowledge.
The conference commenced with a keynote address delivered on behalf of France's Minister of Higher Education, Research and Space by Claudio Galderisi, President of the French Institute for Islamic Studies. Galderisi commended the growing academic collaboration between the UAE and France and emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue on contemporary intellectual challenges.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Fatwa Council and the Higher Academic Council at MBZUH, emphasized the conference's aim to develop an integrative philosophical approach that supports rational inquiry while considering revelation as a reference point. He stressed that the conference's goal is to renew discourse through well-founded arguments informed by philosophy and the natural sciences, rather than revisiting historical conflicts between faith and reason.
In his inaugural lecture, Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of MBZUH, highlighted Paris's historical significance as a hub for philosophical traditions. He described the conference as an extension of civilizational dialogue linking Greek, Islamic, and European intellectual heritage.
Throughout its sessions, the conference addressed topics such as the philosophy of science and belief, ethical aspects of scientific progress, hermeneutical approaches to interpreting religious texts, and the evolution of Islamic theology in relation to scientific and epistemological developments. Participants also engaged in discussions on contemporary issues including artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity.
The conference highlighted the UAE's role in promoting an approach that views science and philosophy as complementary to spiritual values and human aspirations. It also reflected MBZUH's dedication to advancing philosophical scholarship and enhancing international academic partnerships.
