The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) is convening a conference that will explore topics related to theories of biological evolution; their scientific, philosophical, theological, historical, and metaphysical bases; and their relevance to devotional practices, faith, and scriptures in the 21st Century. The conference will take place at our BIHS headquarters in Gainesville, FL, from January 17-20, 2025, with a post-conference workshop from January 21-23.

Prominent topics include, but are not limited to:
1. The evolution of evolution: Darwinism throughout time.
2. The nature of scientific theories and their application to evolution.
3. Srila Prabhupada’s response to Darwinism: separating the wheat from the straw-man.
4. Intelligent Design and the concept of “life comes from life.”
5. Contemporary writings on evolution within Vaiṣṇava communities.
6. Speciation narratives in the Bhāgavata-purāṇa.

We encourage submissions that engage with these topics from multidisciplinary perspectives, including philosophy, science, and theology. If you wish to participate, please submit an up-to 500-word abstract by October 17, 2024 here.

Registration and abstract acceptance for the conference and workshop will be announced in October. For the latest updates, please subscribe to the BIHS newsletter here and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

If you need additional information, please email Jonathan Banks (Pracarananda Dasa) or Bob Cohen (Brahma Tirtha Dasa).