A series of lectures describing frontier discoveries in science and technology that reveal awe-inspiring possibilities and exploring the futures they could lead to.
Location & Time
Lectures will take place in Bateman Physics Sciences -PSF 166 and simultaneously via-zoom from 6:00 PM-7:30 PM (MST). Please register to obtain zoom link.
Dates & Topics
- Thursday, February 16: Science and Purpose: the Threefold way
- Wednesday, February 22: Prospects in Matter
- Wednesday, March 1: Prospects in Life
- Wednesday, March 15: Prospects in Mind
- Wednesday, March 22: Futures: Scenarios
- Wednesday, March 29: Coda: Beauty as Guide to Truth
Lecture Descriptions
Science and Purpose: The Threefold Way
It is often said that science cannot address questions of purpose. I will argue that this is wrong, in a very important and specific way: By understanding what is, science empowers us to imagine what could be, and thereby to think intelligently about what should be - and then to make that happen. I will mention, too, how in modern science we use beauty (what should be) as a guide to truth (what is).