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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Exploring the Science of Religion, Feb. 15
Bertrand Russell, philosopher
In connection with evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins’ visit to NSU, the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences will host a faculty panel titled “A Tempest in Russell’s Teapot? Science, Religion, and Atheism.” The event will take place on Feb. 15 from 12 – 1 p.m. in the Carl DeSantis Building, room 1124.
The panel , featuring five faculty members from the college’s Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, will focus on the links between an understanding of science (especially the theory of evolution) and one’s religious beliefs—two topics widely discussed by Dawkins. Faculty participants include Jason Piccone, Ph.D., assistant professor; Allan Schulman, Ph.D., professor; Glenn Scheyd, Ph.D., assistant professor and assistant director of the division; Valerie Starratt, Ph.D., assistant professor; and Michael Voltaire, Ph.D., assistant professor.
The title for this event is a reference to a metaphor, invented by the philosopher Bertrand Russell, of a teapot in orbit around the sun. There is no way to disprove that such a teapot exists (or, by analogy, to disprove that God exists), but in the absence of evidence for its existence, Russell points out that the lack of disproof is insufficient grounds for believing in it.
Following presentations by each panel member, there will be time for open discussion and a Q&A session. For more information on this event, please contact Glenn Scheyd at 954-262-7991.
“A Tempest in Russell’s Teapot?” serves as a companion event to the Distinguished Speakers Series talk by Richard Dawkins, M.A., D.Phil., titled “The Fact of Evolution.” Dawkins will speak at NSU on Thursday, Feb. 17, in the Arena at the Don Taft University Center, at 7 p.m. The lecture is free, but tickets are required. For more information, call 954-262-8236.