Thoughts, Engagements, Updates from Fraser Watts
I recently attended an excellent conference on forgiveness in Coventry. All the leading figures working on forgiveness were there. My own particular interest is in bringing the different perspectives on psychology and religion into dialogue. Though psychological work on forgiveness as therapy is far superior to religious traditions in terms…
Spiritual paths have several different facets. They involve what people think, do and feel. Ideas, practices and experiences are all involved. When it goes well, these different aspects of personality become increasingly integrated. Thoughts, emotions and actions are aligned and work together harmoniously. Each one supports the others in fruitful…
Over the centuries Christians have used various ideas to try to explain their belief that the crucifixion of Jesus had consequences that were far-reaching and beneficial. I think it is helpful to think freshly about this, and to come up with new ideas that can go along side the traditional…
I have recently become aware of an intriguing convergence between the Social Brain theory of Professor Robin Dunbar at Oxford, and the Congregation Size theory that has been developed largely in the USA. Dunbar is best known for ‘Dunbar’s number’, 150, the number of people with whom we can maintain…
Much of my work has been on science and religion, particularly psychology and religion. There are many specific topics to consider from that point of view, but circumstances have led me to focus recently on mental health and wellbeing. Last September I have an invited talk on that at the…
Some people think in black and white terms; some see things in terms of shades of grey. Some people make a clear, confident choice, one way or the other; others instinctively look for a middle way. Some people see an issue as clear-cut; other people can see both sides of…
Over my lifetime there have been massive developments in what computers can do. But it is something it is very difficult to take a balanced view about. A lot of those who are most expert seem to have a vested interest in exaggerating what they can do. Those who are…
One of the enduring social challenges is to find better ways of relating ‘theory’ and ‘practice’. It is always a problem in professional training. Trainees can be taught the ‘theory’ but that doesn’t always mean they know what to do. For example teachers can be taught the theory of education…
Most people (Christians and otherwise) think that Christians should do good in the world, and I agree with them. But I think it makes a lot of difference why they should do that. For some time I have noticed that some of the reasons Christians give for doing good inspire…
There is a principle often found in science writing, known as the butterfly effect, where small causes can have large effects, says Fraser Watts. The term was coined by Edward Lorenz, the ‘father’ of chaos theory and the butterfly effect, who showed how the details of a tornado could be…