April 14, 2008
Lyon College News Bureau

David Sonnier, associate professor of computer science at Lyon College, is presenting a lecture on "Fides et Ratio" (Faith and Reason) at noon April 23 at the Mabee Simpson Library. He will talk about the balance of faith and reason as one of the central issues in the philosophy of religion, and one which emerges as frequently today as it did 100 or 1,000 years ago. The question emerges in many different forms:

• What are the limitations of each (faith and reason)?
• What is the right balance between faith and reason?
• Is it necessary that there is a conflict?
• Is faith an obstacle, or is it something that allows our mind to reach truths that would otherwise be beyond our reach?
• Is belief in God rational?
• Does the person who believes err on the side of credulity? Does the non-believer make the same mistake by being overly credulous of a negative proposition?

Is it possible to reach a balance of Faith and Reason in a world that resents both? Explore the nature of Faith and Reason, and visit some of the ideas presented by Aquinas, Pascal and others.

Sonnier joined the Lyon faculty in 2001 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He currently serves as faculty advisor to Catholic Campus Ministries. He is also a member of the Batesville Symphony League and vice president of the Batesville Swimming Association. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech and the United States Military Academy.