A Hylomorphic Reading of Genesis 1: How Aristotle May Convince Young-Earth Creationists of Evolutionary Science

WEEK 2

29 January 11am-12.30pm (Seminar in the Gibson Building)

Zishang (Joseph) Yue, DPhil candidate in Science and Religion, University of Oxford

11am Seminar: ‘A Hylomorphic Reading of Genesis 1: How Aristotle May Convince Young-Earth Creationists of Evolutionary Science’

Abstract: Young-Earth-Creationism (YEC) has been pitted against evolution for many decades by both sides, and there seems to be no end to this debate. Aristotelian hylomorphism, however, is able to offer a new reading of Genesis 1 such that the text is literally true in the ‘formal’ sense, even though evolution Is also true in the ‘material’ sense. Thus, it is possible that the earth is formally 7000 years old, and yet its materiality can be traced back through evolutionary history to the big bang. From a hylomorphic perspective, then, YEC believers are able to conditionally accept evolution without compromising their core convictions. On the one hand, this model is more charitable and probably more effective in communicating the fruits of evolutionary science to YEC advocates, and on the other hand, YEC advocates have the rational responsibility to consider this model due to its merits over various types of YEC. This model also serves as an Example of how Aristotelian metaphysics can be employed to resolve problems in science and religion.