NEW YORK, Oct 24 /PRNewswire/ -- With growing worries about bioterrorism
and mounting hostility in some parts of the world towards the West over the
global expansion of Western commerce and ideas, never has there been a greater
need for a serious debate about the uses and abuses of science and technology,
the backlash against progress, and the emerging culture of fear.
Prominent scientists, authors, and public intellectuals will gather in
Manhattan this weekend to debate the future of progress and ask, "Have we gone
too far?"
The event is organized by the London-based Institute of Ideas and the
Wolfson Center for National Affairs at the New School University, and is co-
sponsored by Reason magazine.
WHAT: Science, knowledge, and humanity: Debating the future of progress
WHEN: Friday October 26, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday October 27, 10 am - 7:15 pm
Sunday October 28, 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
WHERE: New School University's Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street,
New York.
Long before the events of September 11, risk aversion and doubts about
progress and the future were on the rise. While human scientific achievement
has brought about immense benefits, it has also created worry about whether
tampering with nature may often do more harm than good. Cloning research,
global climate change, biodiversity, agricultural biotechnology, and human
genetic testing/therapy are just a few of the hot button issues that have
stirred passions among scientists, politicians, academics, and the general
public.
Are scares about the new frontiers of science and technology a rational
response for people who have no direct control over such developments? Or do
they express an ill-founded pessimism about the nature of human achievement?
Do the complexities of the world demand a more precautionary approach, or are
we exaggerating uncertainties out of a fear of the future?
The event features leading thinkers on both sides of the Atlantic -- from
a variety of fields and perspectives -- including: author Francis Fukuyama,
philosopher Jean Bethke Elshtain, biochemist Bruce Ames, New York Times critic
at large Edward Rothstein, anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon, and many others.
Session topics include: What it means to be human; who's afraid of
science?; food biotechnology; alternative medicine; the Kennewick Man dispute;
genetically engineered people; and the future of progress.
For the full agenda and speaker lineup, visit:
http://www.instituteofideas.com/newyork/program.htm
For further information, please contact Tony Gilland of the Institute of
Ideas, +1-646-303-3629, tonygilland@instituteofideas.com; or Mike Alissi of
Reason magazine, +1-203-407-0114, malissi@reason.com.
SOURCE Reason magazine
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Related links:
http://www.reason.org
http://www.instituteofideas.com/newyork/program.htm
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/115993.html
CONTACT:
Tony Gilland of the Institute of Ideas,
+1-646-303-3629, tonygilland@instituteofideas.com; or Mike Alissi
of Reason magazine, +1-203-407-0114, malissi@reason.com
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