MATHEW CHANDRANKUNNEL
Birth and Education
Mathew Chandrankunnel
was born on 26 April 1958. He started his formal education in 1962 and
completed his SSLC in the year 1972. Thereafter he joined the Carmelites of
Mary Immaculate (CMI) – St. Joseph’s Province, Kottayam, in 1973, and continued
with his pre-university studies from 1974 to 1976. The next two years, i.e.,
1976 to 1978 was his novitiate period, after which on 11 May 1978 he made his
first profession which was followed by his philosophical and theological
studies at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bengaluru, after which on 5 May 1987 he
was ordained a priest of the in the Syro-Malabar Church. Chandrankunnel studied Physics and Philosophy
in several Indian universities as mentioned below:
Bachelor of Philosophy 1978-1980 (Thesis:
“The Integration of Science and Religion in the Works of Teilhard de Chardin”)
Bachelor of Science (Physics) 1980-1983
Diploma in Journalism (Trainnee,
Deepika Daily) 1983-1984
Bachelor of Theology 1984-1987
(Thesis: “Application of the Principle of Uncertainty in Solving the Theological
Problem of the Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith”)
Master of Science (Physics) 1988-1989
Licentiate in Philosophy, DVK (LPh/MPh) 1989-1991
(Thesis:
“Dimensions of Reality: The Philosophy of Physics of David Bohm”)
Master of Philosophy (MA, Leuven,
Belgium) 1992-1993
(Thesis: “The Ontological Interpretation
of Quantum Mechanics”)
On 30 January 1998 he was awarded
a PhD in Philosophy of Science from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
During his Doctoral Research he worked under Aage Bohr, Carl Friedrich von
Weizsacker, and Ilya Prigogine in developing his thesis which “compared the
interpretations of Niels Bohr and David Boehm’s interpretation of Quantum Mechanics.”
He did his post-doctoral research at the Harvard, Smithsonian Centre for
Astrophysics, as Research Associate of Prof. Owen Gingerich and worked on the
project titled “Scientific Cosmological Theories and Its Acceptance by the Church”
in the year 2007 and lectured at the State University of New York.
Academic Career
Mathew Chandrankunnel began his teaching
as a young priest at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram and was appointed as a lecturer
in the Faculty of Philosophy during the year 1989 to 1992. He was permanently
appointed in the Faculty of Philosophy at DVK on 5 May 2000. On 26 July YEAR he
was appointed Associate Professor of Philosophy. The various subjects taught by
Professor Chandrankunnel during the year 1988 – 1992 for the students of Bachelor
of Philosophy were Philosophy of Science and Nature, Modern Philosophy, Ancient
Philosophy, Science and Religion, and Philosophy of Journalism. Thereafter,
since 1998 he has been teaching students pursuing Licentiate in Philosophy, and
the subjects handled by professor Matthew include “From Quantum Holism to
Cosmic Holism,” “Brain, Mind and Artificial Intelligence,” “Search for Unity
and Interconnectedness,” “A Meeting Point between Science and Religion,” “Space,
Time and Space – Time in Science, Philosophy and Religion,” “Matter, Life and Mind:
A Continuum,” and “Philosophy of Biotechnology.”
Professor Mathew Chandrankunnel
has also been conducting classes during the month of October at various institutes across India on the
subject “Science and Religion” for students’ pursuing their bachelors in Philosophy;
some of those institutes are:
1. Paurasthyan
Vidya Peedam, Vadavathoor, Kerala
2. St.
Joseph’s Seminary, Mangaluru, Karnataka
3. Christ
Nagar IMS Philosophate, Varanasi Uttar Pradesh
4. SVD
Philosophate, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
5. St.
Antony’s Friary Philosophate, Bangalore
6. Vidyadeep
College, Bangalore
7. The
Retreat, Salesian Philosophate, Yerkad, Tamil Nadu
Administrative Engagements
Professor Mathew Chandrankunnel,
apart from his teaching career, has offered his valuable services at various
offices in the administration of DVK since the year 1999 and continues till
today. The various offices assumed are:
Registrar (1999- 2006): As the
chief operating officer of the Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Pontifical Athenaeum
of Philosophy, Theology and Canon Law (www. dvk.in) helped the President and
the Deans to run the pontifical Athenaeum with 1200 students, 4 affiliated
Institutes and more than 60 staff.
Director of the Centre for the
Studies of World Religions (1999-2006): Professor Mathew had planned and still
continues to execute the one month programme on “Religions in Contemporary
India” for international students from the European and the American
Universities with lectures and exposure to world religions. The course is
designed to have both theoretical inputs and practical exposure to all world
religions. Visits are arranged to Hindu Ashrams, Buddhist Viharas, Sikh
Gurudwara, Jain Pilgrimage centers and temples, Muslim Madarasas, Eastern
Christian Ashrams, Indian Art forms, in addition to interactions with the
scholars and faithful of each religion. Along with this Prof. Mathew, for the
past three years, has also organised an exposure programme titled “Religions in Contemporary India” for
more than 200 students in collaboration with various reputed professors from around
the globe, and they are: Prof. Dr. Bert Brockaret, Interdisciplinary
Centre for Religious Studies, Director, Faculty of Theology, K.U. Leuven, Belgium,
Prof. Dr. Johann Ev. Hafner, Institute Fur Religionswissenschaft (Schwerpunkt Christentum),
Universitat Potsdam, Germany, Prof. Dr. Ramprasad, University of Lancaster,
United Kingdom , Prof. Dr. Erik Eynikel, Old Testament Exegesis, Katholieke
Universiteit Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Dr Stephen Downs, Head, School of
Theology, flinders University of South Australia, Australia, And Dr. Edward
Ulrich , University of St. Thomas , Department of Theology, St. Paul, Minnesota,
USA .
As the director he has also
designed a 6 months lecture series on “Rationality, Religion and Progress” in
collaboration with the leading organisations in Bangalore such as Young Men
Christian Association, Bangalore Initiative for Religious Dialogue, Fire Flies
Ashram and Bangalore Forum for Science and religion. This programme was started
during the academic year 2006-2007 and is being continued till today.
Professor Mathew has also presided
over and lectured at many public and religious gatherings in and around Bangalore
which has been recognised in promoting religious harmony and social peace, in
the State and National level. He was also invited to serve as the director to the
board of the Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore and as the executive
committee for the Inter religious Dialogue Commission of Catholic Bishops
Conference of India, New Delhi.
The other offices held by him are:
He served as the Director of Licentiate
in Philosophy during the year 2006-2007 and it was during his time of
directorship that a new postgraduate programme in interreligious studies was
designed and conducted.
He was Director of Post Graduate
Hostel, Cafeteria Director during the year 2002-2007.
The office that Professor Mathew
Chandrankunnel holds at present is as the founder and Chairman of Bangalore
Forum for Science and Religion and this office have been held by him since the
year 1998. He has been successfully working down the years by organising
Lectures, seminars, workshops, at local, national and international levels for
the past 18 years. As part of this organisation for three years he worked on project
of the Metanexus Institutes Local societies Initiative Grant programme, for
which he was awarded. Though the project has come to an end the forum continues
to work actively.
As a member in other institution
and organisation, Professor Mathew Chandrankunnel, apart from his services in
the administration of DVK, has also been appointed to various posts at
different institutions and organisations and has also been the member of
various association in and around the world. The various positions held are as
follows:
1. Chief
Editor of the Syro-Malabar Directory, Bangalore
2. Coordinator
of the Youth Programmes of the Syro Malabar Churches in Bangalore
3. Member
of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, Commission for Interreligious Dialogue,
Delhi from the year 2005 onwards
4. Founder
President, Sigmaxi, Mc Gill Bangalore Montreal Chapter From 2002-2003
5. Founder
Chairman, Bangalore Forum for Science and Religion, Bangalore, from 1999
onwards
6. Member,
Sigmaxi, McGill Bangalore Montreal Chapter from 2002 onwards
7. Metanexus
Institute Templeton Foundation, Philadelphia
8. Visiting
Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, Cochin University of Science and
Technology, Cochin, Kerala, in the year 1999
9. Member,
Interreligious Cell, YMCA, Bangalore
10. Director
Board Member, Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore 2002-2004
11. Organiser,
Science-Humanity National Summit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore,
December 2000
12. Co-Chairman,
Press and Publicity, Jesu Krist Jayanthi National Seminar at DVK, Bangalore
September
13. Chief
Editor, National Yesu Krist Jayanti Souvenir, India
14. Member,
International catholic Journalist Association , Geneva, 1984 onwards
15. Science
Editor , Deepika Daily Kottayam, from 1983 to 1984
16. Correspondent,
Deepika daily, a Bangalore, from 1984-1992
17. Spiritual
director Karnataka Malayali Catholic Association Bangalore from 1999 – present
18. Spiritual
Director, St. Sebastian’s welfare Association Bangalore from 199uptil now
19. Lecturer
of Physics, Ratcliffe College Leicster, UK from February to May 1998
Various Awards Awarded to Professor Mathew Chandrankunnel
Professor Mathew has been
recognised and awarded for his achievements and contribution in various fields and
they are as follows:
In July 2000 he won the science
and Religion Course Award from the centre for theology and Natural science in
Berkeley, California for his contribution titled “ Search for unity and
interconnectedness: Meeting point between Science and religion
Local society’s initiative
Supplemental grant from a group awarded him twice as the best Chairman of the
local societies i.e. during the year 2003 and 2004 with a monetary award of
$10000. Professor Mathew was thus selected for this award from a large group of
200 local societies’ initiatives around the world.
At the Editors desk
Professor Mathew Chandrankunnel
apart from his teaching career and social service has also served as an editor
for various publications like:
1. Associate
Editor, Editorial Board Omega, Journal of Science and Religion Quarterly,
Aluva, Kerala, India from the year 2002 onwards.
2. Editorial
Board, Journal of Dharma, Quarterly, Bangalore – from the year 2005 onwards
3. Children’s
Digest, Monthly, in charge of Science and religion, From the year 1999 onwards
4. Editor
in chief of DVK Bulletins, Quarterly from the year 1999 – 2006.
5. Section
editor, Commemorative volume on Brahmabandhab Upadyaya, Third Millennium,
January-March 2007
6. Section
Editor, Commemorative volume on Francis Acharya: A Paradigm of Dialogue between
the east and the west, Third Millennium, June, 2008.
Books Published
Philosophy of Quantum
Mechanics, Quantum Holism to Cosmic Holism: The Physics and Metaphysics of
David Bohm, Global Vision Publications, June 2008.
From Warpath to
Wholeness: The Condemnation and Rehabilitation of Galileo, Dharmaram
Publications, Bangalore, 2004.
Philosophy of
Physics, Anmol Publication, Delhi, 2000
Second World War,
Janata Books, 1988. (Malayalam).
The wonders of the
sky, Deepanalam, Pala, 1987.
Articles Authored
1.
Francis Acharya and Kurismala: An Integration of
Western Monasticism, Syrian Liturgy and the Indian Sanyasa, Asian Horizon,
Vol.2, No.1, June 2008.
2.
“Bohmian Mechanics: An Alternative to the
Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum mechanics”, Academic studies, National
Journal of Jyothi Research Academy, Jyotinivas Autonomus College, Bangalore,
pp9 – 19, March, 2007
3.
Rituals in New Religious Movements in India, Journal of Dharma, 365-375,
July September, 2006 (published in March
2007, delayed).
4.
Brhmabandhab Upadhyay: An Unparalleled Paradigm for the Indigenization
of the Church, editorial, Third Millennium, January-March 2007.
5.
“Biotechnology-Hope or Horror?” (65-84) Dharma Deepika,
Chennai, June 2006.
6.
“Artificial Intelligence; Created in the Image of Brain”,
(85-126), Together Towards Tomorrow, Kuruvila Pandikattu, (ed)
ASSR, 2006.
7.
“Science and Religion – Towards Convergence” Festschrift for Dr.
M.J. Joseph, 2006.
8.
“Science and technology in Ancient and Medieval India, The
Candle, Moscow, 2005.
9.
“Biotechnology and Motherhood,” Jeevadhara, January
2005.
10.
“Review of the teaching of Philosophy in Asia from the Intercultural
Point of View”, (89-108),Interculturality, Gender and Education, Raul
Fornet-Betancourt (ed), Frankfurt, 2004.
11.
“Swami Nityachaitany Yati, Deepika, (5th Anniversary of
the Death of this influential philosopher Interreligious Monk)”, Weekend
Edition, 2004.
12.
“Science and Technology in Ancient and Medieval India”, Maritime Malabar
and the Europeans 1500-1962, K. S. Mathew (ed) Hope India Publication, Gurgaon,
India, 2003.
13.
“Towards a Cosmological Eschatology”, Christian Leadership,
Antony Kalliath (ed), Dharmaram Publications, 2001.
14.
“Sr. Clare: A brush in the hand of the Lord”, Third Millennium,
June, 2001.
15.
“Religion, Science and Culture: Anknupungspunkte with the
Reality”, Religion and Society, June 1998.
16.
“Exhuming Stories of Valour”, Deccan Herald, Weekend
Edition, July1999.
17.
Editorials for DVK Bulletins (4 issues) from 1999-present
18.
“Onam - A symbol of Sacrifice”, United Theological College
Annual, Bangalore, 1998.
Other Journalistic Contributions
Professor Mathew has written over
500 articles in his own mother tongue i.e in Malayalam.He has also served as a
correspondent at Deepika, Bangalore from the year 1989 – 1992; Deepika Chennai
correspondent, from the year 1988 – 1989; and also as the Science Editor,
Journalism Trainee from the year 1983 – 1984.
Papers Presented Around the Globe
A good and excellent orator by
nature Prof. Mathew has presented various papers with variations in subjects,
which includes Science, Religion, philosophy, Technology; Cultures and so on.;
at different platforms around the world are listed below:
1.
Religion and Science in Dialogue down the Centuries – Bioethical Issues
in College Campuses, Asian Centre for Cross Cultural Studies, Chennai, and Nov.
20-23, 2008.
2.
Missionary Approaches in the Catholic Church, Meeting of the
representatives of World Council of Churches, ECC, October 6, 2008.
3.
Indian Economy, Industry, Religions, Spirituality and Culture, a series
of lectures gave on board The Scholarship, a University Ship with 300 students
and 50 Professors travelled from Bangkok to Chennai, Jan 30-Feb 8, 2008.
4.
The Spiritual Dimension of Indian Culture, Boston College, Boston, USA,
December, 4, 2007.
5.
Indian Christianity, St. Thomas University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA,
Nov. 17-19, 2007
6.
Hindu Renaissance in India, School of Divinity, Harvard University,
Harvard, Boston, USA, Nov. 12, 2007.
7.
Intercultural and Interreligious Tourism, Indo-German Business Meet,
Bonn, June 19-22, 2007.
8.
Globalisation of Spirituality, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany,
June, 2007.
9.
Cultures and religions of India, Aristotle’s University, Thessalonika,
Faculty of Theology, May, 2007.
10.
Matter, Life Mind: A continuum, Robert Bosch Ltd, Bosch
India, February 22, 2007, Bangalore.
11.
Science, Christianity and Other Religion, Indian Institute of
Management, Bangalore, September, 2006.
12.
More ingredients for a Salad Bowl, The Meeting Point between the east
and the west, Sitear International Conference, India, August, 2006.
13.
Science, Philosophy and Religion, Bosch, India, August, 2006..
14.
Religious Consciousness in India, Theology and Religious Studies European
Association, Uppsala, Sweden, April, 2006.
15.
Indian Religions and their Outreach to the West, Jagillonian University,
Poland, June. 2006.
16.
Science and Religion, Christianity and Science, at Indian
Institute of Management, Bangalore, India, September, 2006, 2005.
17.
New Religious Movements, Chavara International Centre for Indian and
Interreligious Studies, Sacramento, California, USA, October, 2005.
18.
Science of Yoga, Transcending Religions, University of New York,
Oneonta, USA, October, 2005.
19.
Matter. Life, Mind – A continuum, Joint Faculties Meeting between DVK & St.
Peter’s Pontifical Athenaeums, Bangalore, India, Sep. 2005.
20.
Biotechnology and Motherhood, (Key Note Address) University of Madras, India,
December, 2004.
21.
The Condemnation and rehabilitation of Galileo, Metanexus Institute Annual
Local Societies Initiative, International Conference, Philadelphia, USA,
June 2004.
22.
Religious Consciousness of India, University of Leuven, Belgium, May, 2004.
23.
India’s Contribution to Spirituality, University of Nijmegan, Netherlands, May, 2004.
24.
Indian Religions: An Appraisal, University of Potsdam, Berlin, April, 2004.
25.
Intercultural Philosophy: From an Indian Perspective, Pablo Olivade University,
Seville, Spain, 2003.
26.
New Religious Movements and its Impact, Faculty of Theology, University of Leuven,
Belgium, March, 2003.
27.
Human Face of Science and Technology, Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore, India,
May, 2002.
28.
The Primacy of Reason in the Faith formation for Contemporary times, DVK Silver Jubilee
Celebrations, September 2001.
29.
Science and Religion, Indian Philosophical Association, Bangalore,
Indian, October, 2001.
30.
Cosmos, Church and Galileo, Discussion with Prof. Owen Gingrich, Smithsonian
Astronomer, Harvard University, Boston, USA, July 2000.
31.
Complementary Nature of Science and Religion, Centre for Theology and
Natural Sciences, Chicago, USA, June 2000.
32.
Interpretational Problems in Quantum Mechanics, Refresher course, University
Grants Commission, Bangalore, August 2000.
33.
Structure of Matter, National College, Bangalore, December 2000.
34.
Science, Faith, Technology, Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore, June
2000.
35.
Foundational Problems in Quantum Mechanics, Refresher Course for
Scientists Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala,
February 1999.
36.
Interaction between science and Religion, Ecumenical Christian Centre,
Bangalore, May 1999.
37.
Philosophical Foundations for a New World Order, Sacred Heart Seminary,
Chennai, January 1999
38.
Miracles and Science, Atmodaya, DVK, Bangalore, December 1999.
Apart from
these he has also participated in many National and International conferences.
Radio Talk
Prof. Mathew has also given talks
on air at All India Radio Station in the year 2003 and 2004 during the month of
October based on the Theme on Science and Religion.
Thesis Advisory
Prof. Mathew Chandrankunnel has
been a prominent and beloved teacher among his students and even among those
who are not his students. He owns a simple personality because of which
students find it easy to approach him for guidance especially for their thesis
work at different levels of their academic carrier. A few theses from the hundreds
guided by him are listed below:
Licentiate Thesis:
1.
Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics: Virtuality as reality, Sijumon Joseph, 2009.
2.
Philosophy of Chaos and Complexity, Justin
George, 2009.
3.
Asceticism in Jainism, Saji M.T, 2009.
4.
Philosophical Interpretation of Darwinian and
Alternative Theories of Evolution, Jomy George.P, 2009.
5.
The Philosophical Significance of the
Theories of Relativity, Thaiparambil Jobin, 2009.
6.
Towards Developmental Education: Experience
based education of John Dewey, Baiju Parackal, 2009.
7.
The Return of the Self to the One: A
Philosophical Investigation into the Mystical Experience of Plotinus, Antony Thundathil,
2007.
8.
Space-time and Space and Time – The Ontology, Varghese, 2007.
9.
Teilhardian Phenomenology: Envisioning
Matter, Mind and Spirit as Continuum, Ganashekhar, 2005.
10.
Quantum Mechanics, a New Vision of Reality, Sain C. Vadakkan, 2004.
11.
Artificial Intelligence, a Philosophical
Analysis, Gigi Thomas Purayidathil, 2004.
12.
Space and Tine; A Philosophical and
Scientific Inquiry, Xavier Thangaraj, 2004.
13.
The Unitary Character of Nature, Metaphysics
and Modern Science, A Comparison of the Spatio-temporal Understanding of
Aristotle and Einstein, Augustine Kuttippalackal, 2004.
14.
Ethical and Philosophical Problems Involved
in Manipulating the Biological Continuum, Sudeep, 2004.
15.
Meaning and Life in Soren Kierkegaard’s
Existentialism, Herman Raj, 2001.
16.
A Leap Away from the Technological Thinking
Towards a leap into the Originary Thinking of Being: A Study on Heidegger’s
Thinking of Thinking, L. Joy Ashok, 2001.
17.
Truth in Tension: Dissonance and Consonance
between Religion and Science, Josen, 2001.
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