From Biology to Culture: The Evolution of Goodness

A Conversation with David Sloan Wilson

Natural selection may be blind, but can human evolution be reduced to the logic of the “selfish gene”? How, for example, does our capacity to make choices and act altruistically fit into this picture? What exactly does our consciousness contribute, and how does it affect the way we understand the ongoing production of meaning within nature? Conversely, how does the recognition that we are also animals affect the way we see ourselves and our place within the natural landscape? These questions are being increasingly debated as we begin to turn from a purely biological understanding of evolution to a view of cultural and personal evolution that embraces our desire for prosocial outcomes and for solving problems across all levels of our existence.

Speakers

  • Steve Paulson Journalist and Executive Producer, TTBOOK
  • David Sloan Wilson Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Binghamton University

Details

  • Thursday, November 14, 2024
  • 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
  • The Morgan Library & Museum
    225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016

About This Series

Becoming Human: An Elusive Pursuit features Wisconsin Public Radio’s Steve Paulson in conversation with three leading thinkers who share their unique insights into ttackle the timeless yet elusive question of what it means to effectively realize our humanity.

Sponsors

Highlights

  • The Three Ingredients of Evolutionary Processes Nov 14, 2024 04:01 376
  • The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit Nov 14, 2024 02:37 564
  • Prosociality as a Flexible Behavior Dec 06, 2024 02:33 199
  • Leaving the Ivory Tower Nov 14, 2024 02:52 106
  • David Sloan Wilson on Ayn Rand and Atlas Hugged Nov 14, 2024 04:00 457
  • The Perverse Alchemist Problem Nov 14, 2024 03:02 247
Video Title To Be Dynamically Inserted Here 05:48 1345

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