A New Book Explores What Makes Us Human: Science Meets Faith at INES Ruhengeri

Musanze, Rwanda. INES Ruhengeri has announced the publication of a thought-provoking new book, John Eccles and Thomas Aquinas on Human Nature, authored by Fr. Dr. Jean-Bosco Baribeshya, Vice Chancellor of INES Ruhengeri, and Ms. Marie Lys Irakoze, an Assistant Lecturer in Biotechnologies.

The book marks a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue between science and philosophy, exploring timeless questions about human existence, the mind, and the soul.

Bridging Science and Faith

Fr. Dr. Baribeshya, who holds a PhD in Philosophical Psychology with a focus on the human brain and mind, draws inspiration from Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist John Eccles and the medieval philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas. Together, these figures provide a framework for understanding human beings not only as biological organisms but also as spiritual beings.

“My task as a scientist is to try to eliminate superstitions and to have us experience science as the greatest human adventure. But to understand is not to completely explain,” the book reflects. “Understanding leaves unresolved the great features and values of existence.”

Practical Lessons for Everyday Life

Beyond abstract philosophy, the book also speaks directly to readers’ daily lives. It offers guidance on nutrition and brain health, especially for older adults. For example, it warns against consuming certain fruits at night for those above sixty, while recommending alternatives such as berries, avocados, lemons, and limes.

This integration of scientific research and everyday practice makes the book not just a philosophical treatise, but also a guide to healthy living.

An African Perspective on Global Questions

While the themes of human nature are universal, the authors’ backgrounds bring a uniquely African perspective to the conversation. Fr. Dr. Baribeshya is a Catholic priest with decades of leadership and academic experience in Rwanda, Italy, and Germany. Ms. Irakoze, a rising academic voice, specializes in biotechnology and nutrition, coordinating projects on child nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Together, they situate Africa firmly within global intellectual debates while responding to local concerns about health, meaning, and human dignity.

More Than a Book, An Invitation

The publication of John Eccles and Thomas Aquinas on Human Nature is more than the release of a new academic text. It is an invitation to Rwandans, Africans, and readers everywhere to reflect on what it means to be human in a rapidly changing world.

“We come to exist through a divine act,” the authors write. “At our death the brain goes, but that divine guidance and love continues. It is the only view consistent with all the evidence.”