AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion

News & Events: Public Lecture

Aspirations to live virtuously and courageously emerged in our earthly human history in conjunction with the convictions of most of our ancestors that the universe is here for a reason, that there is some "point" or purpose to the cosmos and hence to our lives. But can we any longer think plausibly that the universe is purposeful, especially in light of evolution? This talk will propose several ways in which evolutionary portraits of life and the universe may allow us to connect a religious sense of cosmic purpose, as well as moral aspiration, with the evolutionary discoveries of natural science.

Keynote speaker:

• Dr. John Haught, Landegger Distinguished Professor of Theology, Georgetown University

Respondent:

• Dr. Eric Fischer, Senior Specialist in Science & Technology, Library of Congress