Oskari Juurikkala

I am an assistant professor of fundamental theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. I'm currently working on the metaphor of the book of nature in ancient Greek, patristic and medieval thought. I'm especially interested in the relevance of the classical transcendentals (truth, goodness and beauty) in the context of nature and the dialogue between science, philosophy and theology around these concepts. Furthermore, I'm exploring on the application of cognitive psychology and neuroscience to theological questions. In particular, I'm interested in the dynamics of narrative, experience, and doctrine in divine revelation, faith and spirituality.

Before moving into theology, I worked as a researcher in law and economics, which I studied at the London School of Economics and the University of Helsinki among others. My doctoral work looked at the role of cognitive psychology and moral motivation in legal and regulatory design. In my postdoctoral research, I studied the 2008-10 financial crisis and the economic and legal dimensions of financial instruments known as credit default swaps. I am an adjunct professor of law and economics at the University of Helsinki, and I have an ongoing research interest in the role of moral and intellectual virtues in economics, law and society.

I am passionate about building bridges between different specializations and traditions, and finding the true and the good in its varied manifestations in thought and experience. A semi-professional drummer from my youth, I'm also an avid music lover across genres from classical to jazz to world music to heavy metal.