Life: Balances & Conflicts
Event: Life: Balances & Conflicts (By the Humanities, Medicine and Science Platform)
Date: Wednesday 4 February 2026
Time: 18:00
Venue: Arts Lecture Theatre (ALT), Msida Campus
Join us for the next HUMS event; 'Life: Balances & Conflicts'.
Programme:
Welcome
Chair
Speakers:
- Prof. John Abela
- Prof. Noellie Brockdorff
- Dr Dorianne Buttigieg
- Prof. Ivan Callus
- Prof. Frank Camilleri
- Prof. Sandro Lanfranco
- Prof. David Mamo
- Dr Niki Young
This interdisciplinary debate invites participants from biology, philosophy, theology, medicine, literature, and beyond to delve into the multifaceted nature of life. By examining life through diverse lenses; from the biochemical and evolutionary processes that sustain physical existence to the ethical, existential, and cultural narratives that inform our understanding—it seeks to bridge empirical science with humanistic inquiry. The event will explore fundamental questions such as: What constitutes life at its most basic level? How do our scientific understandings intersect with and diverge from the meanings ascribed by philosophy and art? And in what ways do theology and medicine further enrich this dialogue? Participants will engage in an exchange that not only highlights the distinct methodologies of each discipline but also emphasises their interconnections.
Through debate and discussion, the session aims to uncover how varying perspectives can jointly contribute to a more holistic comprehension of life. The goal is to foster critical thinking, inspire innovative approaches to age-old questions, and illuminate the ways in which the complexities of life impact our changing understanding of the human condition.
About HUMS
The Humanities, Medicine and Science Platform (HUMS) at the University of Malta explores and encourages interfaces between many disciplines, and has evolved from its original tri-Faculty beginning. The programme, now in its fourteenth year, has organised over forty Symposia, addressing a myriad of topics and aiming to facilitate and disseminate cross disciplinary discourse and research. It has also collaborated with local and international entities with similar purpose and scope. The members of HUMS Board are drawn from a wide range of academic disciplines and technical expertise.
