Public Lectures
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 The Times Center |
Darwin 200: Evolution and the Ethical BrainEvolution is often invoked to explain the darker side of human nature, but does it also account for traits like altruism, cooperation, conscience, and a sense of justice? Can a richer view of our evolved nature help us to understand modern society? Join New York Times columnist David Brooks for a wide-ranging discussion, celebrating the bicentenary of Darwin’s birth, with Michael Gazzaniga (UC-Santa Barbara), Jonathan Haidt (University of Virginia), and Steven Quartz (Caltech).
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Tuesday, March 3, 2009 The Royal Institution |
The Quantum Theory of Space and TimeChris Isham, professor of theoretical physics, Imperial College, LondonTwo of the great scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century were general relativity and quantum theory. The former is a theory of gravity, presented in the context of geometrical ideas of space and time; the latter describes matter at the scales of the atom or below. Quantum theory has been combined with other research areas, for example the electromagnetic field, but the combination/reconciliation of quantum theory with gravity has been an outstanding problem for over 60 years. In part, this is because of the profound differences between the concept of 'reality' as seen in these two theories. Prof. Chris Isham's talk will focus on these philosophical issues. |
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Thursday, February 5, 2009 The Brookings Institution |
Does the Free Market Corrode Moral Character?Over the past decade, the effect of the market economy and globalization on moral values has been vigorously debated in academic circles, in the press, and among citizens and politicians. With the current crisis in American and international financial institutions, the discussion has gained new urgency. To encourage deeper engagement with these issues, the John Templeton Foundation recently asked more than a dozen leading scholars and public figures to write short essays responding to the question, "Does the free market corrode moral character?" On February 5, Governance Studies at Brookings and the John Templeton Foundation will host a panel discussion, moderated by Senior Fellow E.J. Dionne Jr., with Brookings Senior Fellows Rebecca Blank and William Galston, and William McGurn, former chief speechwriter for President George W. Bush and former chief editorial writer of the Wall Street Journal. |
October 15, 2008 The Lake View Hotel |
Science and the Future of HumanityA discussion forum with Nobel and Templeton LaureatesCelebrating the 85th birthday of Professor Ian Barbour, born in Beijing |
June 5, 2008 St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Free Lecture |
Immaculée IlibagizaSurvivor of the Rwandan genocide, philanthropist and author of the book Left to Tell is coming to Nassau to share her life-changing story. BiographyImmaculée Ilibagiza was born in Rwanda and studied electronic and mechanical engineering at the National University. She lost most of her family during the 1994 genocide. Four years later, she emigrated to the United States and began working at the United Nations in New York City. She is now a full-time public speaker and writer. In 2007 she established the Left to Tell Charitable Fund, which helps support Rwandan orphans. Immaculée holds honorary doctoral degrees from The University of Notre Dame and Saint John's University, and was awarded The Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace 2007. She is the author, with Steve Erwin, of LEFT TO TELL: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust. |