Professor Vartan Gregorian, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, gave a lecture at the Taylor Institution at the invitation of the Centre on ‘Encounters between Faith and Reason in Christianity and Islam.’

The lecture drew on Professor Gregorian’s personal involvement with the interaction of Islamic and Christian beliefs, which can be traced back to his early life and academic studies. He emphasized how intellectual and social links between these religions have been crucial to some of the main developments in the history of thought, across cultural boundaries. Professor Gregorian went on to advocate the concept of a shared civilization, whose characteristics developed from the interplay between Christianity and Islam. He noted that scholars have always explored the dynamic relationships between fides et ratio, faith and reason, and gave many examples of how the best analytical minds throughout history have always been drawn to these areas.

A vote of thanks was offered by the Dean of Christ Church, following which the Director of the Centre hosted a dinner in honour of Professor Gregorian.