Né darwinismo, né Intelligent Design. Un confronto tra Hans Jonas e Joseph Ratzinger

The evolution-creation struggle concerns the origins of the universe, of the phenomenon of life, and of human existence. In the last decades the debate has attracted the attention of the mass media especially thanks to the radical positions of those creationists and those evolutionists, whose main aim seems to be the will to keep the debate as ideologically polarized as possible. Of course, in comparison with these extremes, any composed, intermediate and well-balanced position concerning the same issues cannot exert the same appeal to the mass media. However, such positions are more capable than the extremes of highlighting the complexity of the issues at stake, and their relevance for the public debate. Thus, the aim of this article is to analyse two of these intermediate positions, namely the one of the philosopher of Jewish origins, Hans Jonas, and the one of the theologian Joseph Ratzinger. The thesis we endeavour to demonstrate is that the comparison between their reflexions on creation and evolution casts new light on their thinking. Finally, the enquiry will also highlight the considerable differences between the two perspectives, especially those concerning the relationship with modernity, the attitude towards science and evolution, and their ethical implications.