Talking Philosophy & Theology: A Carmelite Perspective
Search for Meaning: Philosophy, Theology, Psychology, and the Carmelite Quest for Meaning
This Conference arises out of shared interest in Philosophy, Theology and Psychology, inspired, in particular, by the life and thought of Edith Stein (St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross), the 20th century Philosopher, Psychologist, Theologian, and Carmelite Nun, who perished in Auschwitz during WWII as both Christian martyr and Jewish victim of the Holocaust. The Talks which will be given are designed to be at a suitable level both for those with some “specialist” interest as well as any members of the general public who are curious to know more!
The human experiences of joy, pain, sorrow have unveiled a renewed interest in the question of life and its meaning. If Life is a gift, then the primary motivation appears not to be pleasure but the pursuit of what we find meaningful. Several thinkers have offered thoughts from their own sacred stories to the pursuit of happiness as the underscoring meaning to life. To what constitute happiness differs as do the experiences. This conference will attempt to unpack the human search for meaning while proffering lessons for survival in the midst of suffering and pain; joy and happiness; darkness and gloom; confusion and uncertainty. Several renowned philosophical and theological speakers will approach this all important reflection while offering a Carmelite perspective of contemplative prayer to discovering meaning in life.
Some Highlights of Last Year’s Conference
2025 Programme Schedule (All times: London time)
Seven Life Changing Online Talks
Edith Stein and the Challenge of Phenomenology
for Christian Life Today
Prof. Peter Tyler
This presentation will bring Edith Stein into conversation with a range of scholars and traditions, by unveiling her interdisciplinary nature. It will articulate Stein’s self-named ‘philosophy of life’.
Considered in the context of her own times, the Living Philosophy of Edith Stein unearths Stein’s valuable contributions to numerous subjects that are still of great importance today, including not only the philosophies of mind and religion, but also social and political thought and the role of women in society.
Edith Stein, Saint, Carmelite and Mystic
Fr. Matt Blake, OCD
This presentation will reflect on the person of Edith and her insights into the search for meaning. Meaning that is concealed in God’s plan for humanity. Her sacred story highlights the truth that God is part of human history and he never deserts his people even in the face of difficulties: “I told our Lord that I knew it was His cross that was now being placed upon the Jewish people: that most of them did not understand this, but that those who did would have to take it up willingly in the name of all. I would do that. At the end of the service, I was certain that I had been heard. But what this carrying of the cross was to consist in, that I did not yet know”.
John of the Cross and Lacan: The Dark Night and
Subjective Destitution
Dr. Mark Gerard Murphy
In my presentation, “Desire and Destitution: A Combined Reading of Lacan and John of the Cross,” I offer a novel perspective on Juanist spiritual direction, merging elements of Lacanian psychoanalysis with the mystical theology of John of the Cross. I critically examine contemporary spiritual practices that lean heavily on therapy, advocating instead for a resurgence of a radical conception of desire, transcending the bounds of the ‘affective turn.’ I draw parallels between Lacan’s notion of subjective destitution—his vision of psychoanalysis as distinct from therapy—and John’s concept of the ‘dark night of the soul.’ This approach presents a unique ‘creative unity’ between psychoanalysis and mystical theology, viewed through continental philosophy and theology.
John of the Cross, John Paul II, Karl Marx:
Alienation, Redemption and Union with God in Daily
Life
Dr. Mary Stevens
In my talk, ‘John of the Cross, John Paul II, Alienation and Redemption’, I will be looking at some insights into alienation and bringing to this ideas from redemption and Sanjuanist spirituality.
A Reason to Hope: Being as Communion in the
Thought of John Zizioulas
Dr. Heather Ward, OCDS
To an increasingly fragmented world which seems torn between the individualism; relativism of post-modernism and the collectivism of populist political movements the thought of John Zizioulas offers a stance outside our dichotomies, a way of moving beyond either-or thinking about the nature of human beings and their life in society. This talk will explore the main lines of Zizioulas’ concept of being as communion so that we might come to a renewed understanding of what it means to say “I am”.
Gabriel Marcel’s Philosophy: A Synthesis of
Catholicism, Existentialism and Personalism
Deacon Tom Berrie
Marcel, 1889 – 1973, was born in Paris to typically French, middle class parents. Humanity needed a new approach, which addressed and met their actual lives, innermost needs, aspirations and longings, and the growing sense of disconnexion and alienation that life in the modern world produced. Openness to all viewpoints was at the heart of his approach, developing friendships with many important thinkers and giving talks throughout the world arising from them. Amongst his many influences were Henri Bergson, Martin Buber, and Jacques and Raissa Maritain.
Philosophy as a Way of Life and Search for Meaning
Tim Burton, OCDS
Tim’s presentation will focus on the way in which his four years’ academic study of philosophy has impacted on his subsequent life and Christian faith. He will suggest that an acquaintance with thinkers alongside, rather than within, the Christian tradition can be both challenging and enriching and that philosophical thinking equips us to encounter ultimate truth – in the spirit of St Therese’s words: ‘il me semble que je n’ai jamais cherché que la vérité’.
Friday 9th May
4:00-5:00pm – Arrival for Residential participants
6:00pm – Supper Break
7:00pm – Social Evening
Day One Schedule: Saturday 11th May
7:00-8:00am – Liturgy of the Eucharist and Morning Prayer
8:00-9:00am – Breakfast
9:00-10:00am – Edith Stein, Saint, Carmelite and Mystic (Fr Matt)
10:00-10:30am – Break
10:30-11:30am – Edith Stein and the Challenge of Phenomenology for Christian Life today (Peter Tyler)
11:30-12:00noon – Break
12:00-1:00pm – A Reason to hope: Being as Communion in the Thought of John Zizioulas (Heather Ward)
1:00-3:00pm – Lunch break
4:00-5:00pm – John of the Cross, John Paul II, Karl Marx: Alienation, redemption and Union with God in Daily Life (Mary Stevens)
5:00-5:30pm – Break
5:30-6:30pm – Supper
Saturday 10th May
7:00 – Morning Prayer
8:00-9:00 – Breakfast
9:00-10:00am – Gabriel Marcel’s Philosophy: A Synthesis of Catholicism, Existentialism and Personalism (Tom Berrie)
10:00-10:30am – Break
10:30-11:30am – Philosophy as a Way of Life and Search for meaning (Tim Burton)
12:15 – Liturgy of the Eucharist
1:00-2:00pm – Lunch break
3:00-4:15pm – Panel Discussion: Prof. Peter Tyler (Chair)
4:15pm – Closing with shared prayer
Prof. Peter Tyler
Peter Tyler is Senior Lecturer and Programme Director of Pastoral Theology at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham, UK. Previous publications include The Return to the Mystical: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Teresa of Avila and the Christian Mystical Tradition (Continuum, 2011) and The Pursuit of the Soul: Psychoanalysis, Soul-making and the Christian Tradition (T & T Clark, 2016).
Fr. Matt Blake, OCD
Fr Matthew Blake is a Carmelite priest. Originally from Ireland, he has lived and worked in the UK for more than thirty years. His ministry has mainly involved retreat direction, for which he is well-known in the UK, and he has also worked in many different parishes.
Dr. Mark Gerard Murphy
Mark Gerard Murphy is an editor for the political journal and blog Taiwan Insight and a Lecturer at St Mary’s University, Scotland, Gillis Centre, convening courses on ethics, philosophy, and mystical theology/spirituality. His research interests include the relationship between psychoanalysis and mystical theology. He has published a forthcoming book on John of the Cross and Lacan with Palgrave in the Journal for Cultural and Religious Theory.
Dr. Mary Stevens
Mary Stevens is an Honorary Research Fellow in Divinity at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. Her research interests include the theological and philosophical anthropology of Karol Wojtyla / Pope John Paul II and his soteriology, referencing the deep current of Sanjuanist spirituality in his work. In particular she is interested in how these are and can be lived out in different aspects of social life from politics to the cloister.
Dr. Heather Ward, OCDS
Heather Ward, OCDS is a Carmelite with many years of experience in spiritual guidance. She holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham and an M.Ed. from Maryvale Institute, Birmingham. She teaches a number of modules on Carmelite spirituality for the Carmelite Institute of Britain and Ireland (CIBI) and has had many articles published. She is a tutor for our Carmelite Prayer Guides Course (2018-2019).
Deacon Tom Berrie
Tom is a deacon of the Nottingham Diocese. He has a BA in Politics and Economics from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, a BA in Divinity and MA in Catholic Theology from Maryvale. He is married to Janet has two grown up children and their spouses and two grandsons. He lives in Burbage next to Hinckley in Leicestershire.
Tim Burton, OCDS
Tim Burton has a BA in Philosophy from London University, where he studied the subject from an Anglo-American analytic perspective, and an MA in the same subject from Sussex University where he studied nineteenth century European thinkers. He then pursued a career in educational publishing as a specialist in the development of distance learning resources. Now retired, Tim continues to read and reflect on philosophy – as one interest among many others – and particularly enjoys reading works by 20th century thinkers including Martin Heidegger, Karl Jaspers, Simone Weil and Iris Murdoch.
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Full RESIDENTIAL attendance
(Includes Friday dinner and overnight stay until Sunday) – £250
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Day attendance
DAY 1
Only £60
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DAY 2
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You are purchasing to attend Day 2 of the conference only and will be entitled to receive Day 2 programmes only. By continuing you will be taken through to our payment platform which may require you to register and provide further details
Both day attendance
£100
You are purchasing to attend Day 1 and 2 of the conference. By continuing you will be taken through to our payment platform which may require you to register and provide further details
Online only
Online DAY 1
Only £40
You are purchasing to attend Day 1 of the conference only and will be entitled to receive Day 1 programmes only. By continuing you will be taken through to our payment platform which may require you to register and provide further details
Online DAY 2
Only £40
You are purchasing to attend Day 2 of the conference only and will be entitled to receive Day 2 programmes only. By continuing you will be taken through to our payment platform which may require you to register and provide further details
Online FULL ACCESS
£60
You are purchasing to attend Day 1 and 2 of the conference. By continuing you will be taken through to our payment platform which may require you to register and provide further details