It is often assumed that there is a hard line between theistic evolution (TE) and intelligent design (ID). Many theistic evolutionists subscribe to the idea that God only acts through natural processes, as opposed to the ID assertion that God, at certain points in natural history, has acted in a direct manner; directly causing particular features of the world. In this article, I argue that theistic evolutionists subscribe to what might be called Natural Divine Causation (NDC). NDC does not merely (...) provide a nonsupernaturalist and noninterventionist model of divine action, it provides a line of demarcation between TE and ID. I make the critique that NDC is philosophically untenable and argue, consequently, that the line between TE and ID is blurred. (shrink)

Beyond the evident theological appeal of Benedict XVI’s Caritas in veritate dedicated to integral human development, this social encyclical is also impregnated with very rich and deep, philosophical significance. This article systematically investigates the philosophical foundations of Benedict’s perspective on the question of development. Beginning from an appraisal and enunciation of the solid theistic-anthropological grounding of the encyclical, it explores key philosophical elements which undergird Benedict’s notion of development and which combine to render his encyclical not only theologically orthodox and (...) refreshing but also philosophically cogent and persuasive. (shrink)