Events

2010 Lectures

Darwin Day 2010: Conway Hall, Feb 11th. More details and tickets

"Darwin and Human Evolution" with Prof Chris Stringer, chaired by Prof Richard Dawkins

When On the Origin of Species was published in 1859 the only recognised human fossils were from Europe, and this was still the case when Darwin completed The Descent of Man in 1871. Nevertheless, he argued by inference that humans had probably originated in Africa. However, it was not until 50 years later that Africa started to produce a fossil record which showed that Darwin's educated guess was correct.

Professor Chris Stringer will speak on this theme for us as the 2010 Darwin Day Lecturer. Professor Stringer is Research Leader in Human Origins at the Natural History Museum where he has also been Head of Human Origins Programme and Head of Anthropology. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and Visiting Professor at Royal Holloway, University of London. His Homo Britannicus: the incredible story of human life in Britain (2007) won the Best Archaeology Book and Kistler Book Award in 2008 and he is a leading proponent of the 'Out of Africa' theory of modern human origins.

The Darwin Day Lecture is jointly hosted by the British Humanist Association and the South Place Ethical Society.

2009 Lectures

Evolutionary Theory: Is This All There Is? A successful day conference chaired by Peter Cave on October 31st. Evolutionary Theory has a lot going for it, but how far does it go?  Can it provide adequate explanations of human psychology - emotions, imagination - of our moral sense and aesthetic appreciation?  Does Evolutionary Theory have anything valuable to say about our free choices and the meaning of life? With discussion from Susan Blackmore, Visiting Professor of Psychology at the University of Plymouth, Simon Blackburn, Professor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge, Emeritus Professor John Cottingham, University of Reading; Professor David Papineau, King's College, London; Professor Janet Radcliffe Richards, Director of the Centre for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine at University College London, Michael Reiss, Professor of Science Education and Assistant Director of the Institute of Education and Emeritus Professor Richard Norman, University of Kent.

In the Voltaire Lecture 2009, chaired by Polly Toynbee, Kenan Malik explored the relationship between science, race and Darwinism under the banner, "The Guilt of Science? Race, Science and Darwin". The event took place on April 23rd 2009 at Conway Hall.

The sell-out Darwin Day Lecture 2009 was held on 11th February at Conway Hall. Sir David King posed the question, "Can British Science Rise to the New Challenges of the Twenty-First Century?" Chaired by Professor Richard Dawkins, Vice-President of the BHA.

The downloadable Bentham Lecture 2009 delivered by Richard Reeves, Director of the think-tank Demos, made the case that true liberalism – the liberalism of Mill – is not the problem, but the solution to the moral and societal problems facing us today. Held on November 26th and chaired by Peter Cave.

2008 Lectures

In the Voltaire Lecture 2008, Raymond Tallis, a Distinguished Supporter of the BHA, asked "Is Human Freedom Possible?" The lecture was held on April 10th at University College London.

The sell-out Darwin Day Lecture 2008 was held on 12th February. Tim Lewens posed the question, "Charles Darwin: A Philosophical Naturalist?"  Chaired by Richard Dawkins, Vice President of the BHA.

The popular Bentham Lecture 2008 considered "Terrorism, Torture and Human Rights".  Jonathan Glover argued that while human rights remain a philosophically awkward concept, there is nevertheless good reason to prohibit torture – and indeed to "take the option off the table".

We will continue to advance this section, as well as to backdate it with more information on prior events.