Dive into how C.S. Lewis blends science and religion on his quest for the “best mental model” of the world.

Finding the Best Mental Model of the Universe: C. S. Lewis on Science and Religion

Join us for an Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion public seminar with Professor Alister McGrath (Emeritus Andreos Idreos Professor of Science and Religion).

This seminar explores the rich and understudied approach to science and religion in the writings of C. S. Lewis, focussing on Lewis’s use of a precursor of “inference to the best explanation” in his apologetic writings, and his use of literature to assess the social impact of science and the limits of scientism. We will consider the significance of Lewis’s quest for the “best mental model” of the world, and note possible parallels with Charles Taylor’s notion of the “best account” of reality. Finally, the seminar will highlight Lewis’s emphasis on the role of the imagination in theory development, and his attempt to integrate spectatorial and participative engagements with the natural order in Perelandra (1943) and The Discarded Image (1964).

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Time: 16:00 - 17:30

Location: 0.18 Learning Centre, Schwarzman Centre, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, University of Oxford

Registration necessary:

Open to the public

A wine reception will follow the public seminar in the Faculty of Theology and Religion (third floor, Schwarzman Centre), providing an opportunity to meet the speaker and fellow attendees.

For any queries, please contact: irc.admin@theology.ox.ac.uk

This event is hosted by the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion (https://www.ianramseycentre.ox.ac.uk/) and the Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford. To stay up to date with our events, join our mailing list: Click here to join our mailing list (https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=G96VzPWXk0-0uv5ouFLPkYUGYs_HZJRGtuJZ9_ihk9dUM0s0WTFKVkMyOTc2TTFBSVBEU1dWRUVHOS4u).

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Description supplied by the event organiser.