Ciclo de conferencias de la Cátedra Hana y Francisco José Ayala de Ciencia, Tecnología y Religión. Última conferencia el día 24 de junio en la Sala de Conferencias de ICADE (C/Alberto Aguilera, 23). Contaremos con enlace para conexión online y servicio de traducción simultánea.

A Franciscan Metaphysical-Theological Foundation for Emergence: Science and Theology in an enriching dialogue

24 de junio a las 17.00

Streaming: https://zoom.us/j/93408273917?pwd=blmoXHTDXUePDQHraicMunZOA7wvuF.1

Abstract

Faced with the complexity of reality, we are increasingly stimulated to enter the mystery of creation and life with a trans-disciplinary gaze. The phenomenon of Emergence takes up this challenge and invites us to broaden the horizons of rationality until we reach the important question on the foundations of reality. The vision of the created cosmos offered by Franciscan Theology and by St. Bonaventure, poses in this regard a consistent Trinitarian and Christological approach to illuminate Science itself, offering, in our opinion, a possible interpretation of the phenomenon of Emergence.

Resumen

Frente a la complejidad de la realidad, nos sentimos cada vez más estimulados a adentrarnos en el misterio de la creación y la vida con una mirada transdisciplinar. El fenómeno de la emergencia asume este desafío y nos invita a ampliar los horizontes de la racionalidad hasta llegar a la importante pregunta sobre los fundamentos de la realidad. La visión del cosmos creado ofrecida por la Teología Franciscana y por San Buenaventura, plantea en este sentido un coherente enfoque trinitario y cristológico para iluminar la propia Ciencia, ofreciendo, a nuestro juicio, una interpretación posible del fenómeno de la Emergencia.

Bio

Alessandro Mantini, who entered religious life in 2000, is a priest of the Diocese of Rome. He graduated in Electronic Engineering with a focus on Sensors and Robotics for Biomedical Applications, he obtained a oneyear Master's degree in "Microstructure Engineering" and worked as a researcher and assistant at the chair of "Sensors and Detectors" and "Solid State Electronic Devices" at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, developing the first integrated Electronic Nose for biomedical and industrial applications. He graduated in Theology and obtained a PhD in Dogmatic Theology. He obtained a two-year first level Master's degree in "Science and Faith" in 2015, and has attended several courses at foreign universities on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and their technical and ethical applications. He has held pastoral roles in Biblical-Theological formation, in spiritual formation and in scientific formation; He also taught Religion in a scientific high school and held training meetings on Science and the relationship between Science and Faith at various high schools in Italy. He was Chaplain at the Hospital of Perugia S. Maria della Misericordia and at the Policlinico A. Gemelli in Rome. At the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, where he has been Pastoral Assistant since 2021, he teaches at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery: “Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology”, “Stem Cell Research: an Anthropological Question”, “Seminar: Theology and Science”, “Theology 1: Fundamental Questions: Christological Faith and Sacred Scripture”, “Theology 2: Questions of Theological Anthropology and Ecclesiology”, “Theology 3: Theological Questions of Morality and Ethics”. He also teaches “Eschatology” and “Science and Theology” at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome. He has published numerous scientific publications in international journals, several publications in the scientific/theological field and some book reviews on the subject. He has held numerous conferences and Lectio Magistralis on the topic of Artificial “Intelligence” in its technical and ethical dimension. He has published the following volumes: Mantini A., A Franciscan Theological-Metaphysical Foundation of Emergence: Theology and Science in an Enriching Dialogue, Springer International Publishing, 2024; Bonini P.A. - Mantini A. (Eds.), Researching within the truth, CISU, 2024; Bonini P.A. - Mantini A. (edited by), Ricercare nella verità, CISU, 2023; Mantini A., Evangelizzare lo Spazio Cosmico...e Ritorno. New Frontiers, New Challenges and New Rationality for Catholic Theology, Aracne, 2022. He was the editor of: the 6-volume work of S. Zavarella, Essay on the Universal History of the Franciscan Missions of the Friars Minor in the three Missionary Continents: Africa-Holy Land, Asia, Latin America, 2011; of the first edition of the Clariane Sources, together with the author G. Boccali, 2013; of the volume Anima e Corpo. Una sfida per la Cura. Itinerario formativo per la cura dei malato, 2014.

BeFlexible is a European research project funded by Horizon Europe (2022–2026) that aims to enhance flexibility in the European electricity system to support the integration of renewable energy and the active participation of consumers and prosumers.

The project develops and tests new services, digital platforms, and business models that enable more efficient management of flexibility resources. It also promotes coordination between Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and encourages participation by various energy system actors, including consumers and energy communities.

These solutions are validated through large-scale pilot projects across several European countries, including Spain, France, Italy, and Sweden, to demonstrate scalable, replicable approaches that improve system flexibility and support the energy transition in Europe.