Sydney Ideas: Darwinism past its 'Sell By' Date? - 17 February 2009

Professor Michael Ruse, Director of the History and Philosophy of Science Program at Florida State University, delivers the first 2009 Sydney Ideas lecture on 17 February, on whether Darwinism has past its 'Sell By' date.

Charles Darwin published his great work, On the Origin of Species in 1859. In that work, not only did he make the case for evolution, he also offered a mechanism, natural selection or (as it became known later) the survival of the fittest.

We are now celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Origin, as well as the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth. It is therefore appropriate to step back and look at the theory of the Origin, asking both about its success back then and even more how it fares today.

Professor Ruse argues that the work did well in its own day, but clearly needed more work to make it fully successful.

"Today, thank goodness, not one item of Darwin's thinking remains intact, but, at the same time, everything that Darwin had to say is as vital and relevant as it ever was," said Professor Ruse.

"As Heraclitus said, you cannot step into the same river twice. But then, as Parmenides said, nothing changes. Darwinism is the living embodiment of the truths of both of these sayings."

Professor Ruse is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the History and Philosophy of Science Program at Florida State University. Born in England he taught at the University of Guelph Canada for 35 years while he established a reputation as an expert on the social and philosophical consequences of Darwin's theories.

He has published over 20 books on this topic including Darwinism and its Discontents (2006), The Evolution-Creation Struggle (2005), and Darwin and Design: Does evolution have a purpose? (2003).

As a frequent commentator on the Evolution-Creation struggle he debates regularly with advocates of intelligent design. He was the founder of journal Biology and Philosophy and his current research interests are in metaphysical and ethical issues in the biological and biomedical sciences.

The Sydney Ideas Lecture will be hosted by Professor Paul Griffiths, University Professorial Research Fellow in the Department of Philosophy, University of Sydney.

Date: Tuesday 17 February 2009

Time: 6.30pm

Tickets: $20 Full, $15 Concession, Free for University of Sydney staff and students (ID required)

Venue: Seymour Centre, University of Sydney

Bookings: Phone (02) 9351 7940 or book online http://secure.seymourboxoffice.com.au/tickets/reserve.aspx?performanceNumber=41791

Contact: Katrina O'Brien

Phone: 02 9036 7842