Are we the story we tell about ourselves? Am “I” the firing of my neurons? Come reflect on the meaning of identity, what neuroscience says about our memories, and what ancient Christianity has to say in response.

Most neurologists have a picture of the human mind that is quasi-machine-like, especially when it comes to memory. But this model misconstrues some basic realities about human mental life. In this lecture, Professor Angela Franks will discuss the nature of human memory and narrative in dialogue with the ancient past. She offers insights from St. Augustine of Hippo and other early Christian thinkers to bear on the question of identity and the science of memory.

Angela Franks is Professor of Theology at St. John's Seminary in Boston and Senior Fellow at the Abigail Adams Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her areas of specialty include the body, identity, Catholic theology, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and John Paul II. She is currently writing on contemporary continental philosophy in conversation with the Catholic intellectual tradition and finishing a two-volume book manuscript entitled The Body and Identity.

This Event is made possible by the support of ‘In Lumine: Supporting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide’ (Grant #62372) from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in any publications, videos, lectures, etc. associated with this project are those of the author(s) or speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.