An online lecture and in-depth discussion with David Sloan Wilson
Friday, November 4 at 6pm EST
Abstract: A second Darwinian revolution is in progress. The first was limited to genetic evolution. The second expands the view to include all processes combining the three ingredients of variation, selection, and replication. Suddenly, a theory that already makes sense of the biological world can begin to make sense of everything associated with the words "human", "culture", and "policy". I will provide a broad overview, comparable in scope to Carl Sagan's Cosmos, with an emphasis on practical tools for improving well-being across all contexts and scales, from individuals to the planet.
Bio: David Sloan Wilson is SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology and Anthropology at Binghamton University and president of the nonprofit organization ProSocial World. He has made foundational contributions to evolutionary theory and its expansion beyond genetic evolution, including topic areas such as religion & spirituality, economics & business, and therapy & training. His Carl Sagan lecture will be drawn from his most recent nonfiction book, This View of Life: Completing the Darwinian Revolution. A complete archive of his work, including his novel Atlas Hugged and his memoir A Life Informed by Evolution, can be found at DavidSloanWilson.World.
Note: This talk will be given in person at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, where Wilson has been awarded the 2022 Carl Sagan Prize by CMU's Humanist League. The talk will take place at 5PM on Nov 2, McConomy Auditorium, Cohon University Center, followed by a reception--with free apple pie! Wilson will repeat the talk for the Nov 4 online audience and the extended discussion will focus on the past, present, and future of Humanism from a modern evolutionary perspective.
To prepare for the discussion on Humanism, please read this 2017 article by Wilson titled Writing Evolution Into Humanist Manifesto IV.
