Science in Society: Events

Design in the Age of Darwin: From William Morris to Frank Lloyd Wright (Event)

Science in Society — 2008-06-09T21:31:16Z

"Design in the Age of Darwin," a summer exhibit at the Block Museum, showcases the influence of Darwinian ideas and other evolutionary theories on architecture, art and design in the fifty years following the publication of Darwin's book, The Origin of Species.

This exhibit precedes six months of programming organized by the One Book One Northwestern initiative concerning this year's book, "The Reluctant Mr. Darwin," by David Quammen, and its subject, Charles Darwin. One Book One Northwestern events will kick off this September.

Visit the Block Museum website for more information, including hours, admission, and a slideshow of the exhibit. For Charles Darwin-related events and resources at Northwestern University, visit the One Book One Northwestern Web site here.

"Design in the Age of Darwin" is supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art, and is part of American Art American City, also sponsored by the Terra Foundation for American Art.

The Ascent of Darwin: Commemorating the Origin of Species (Event)

Science in Society — 2008-07-18T21:20:00Z

By the time of his death Charles Darwin was one of the most celebrated –and one of the most notorious—scientists in the world. Today he is probably even more famous. Still controversial, Darwin has become an icon of modern science at the same time as his theories have become the basis of modern biology. This talk asks what are we to make of this public visibility, past and present. Janet Browne explores the different ways that Darwin and his famous book On the Origin of Species have been commemorated, and looks ahead to issues that may underlie the forthcoming anniversary celebrations.

This lecture is part of six months of programming organized by the One Book One Northwestern initiative. This year's book, The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, by David Quammen, was chosen celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birthday and the 150th anniversary of his famous study, On the Origin of Species. The One Book One Northwestern project is a community-wide reading program hosted by the Office of the President at Northwestern University, which aims to bring together individuals with different backgrounds to share and discuss a common topic.

Visit the One Book One Northwestern site for more information on the book and other events.

Darwin and the Evolution of Reasons (Event)

Science in Society — 2008-06-23T19:40:42Z

Evolution by natural selection not only accounts for the apparent design of the biological world; it explains the emergence of intelligent designers like us, acting on reasons that we formulate and evaluate. Our capacity to be moved by reasoning is one of evolution's most potent products to date, unique in the biosphere, and a lens through which we can look back at the evolutionary process itself.

Visit the One Book One Northwestern site for more information on the book and other events.