AMES, Iowa — A scientist frequently found on annual lists of "most influential," "living genius," and "the world's top thinkers" will speak at Iowa State University.
Richard Dawkins, evolutionary biologist and secularist, will present "An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist — A Conversation with Richard Dawkins" at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, in Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State Center. Clark Wolf, director of the university's Bioethics Program, will moderate discussion. No tickets are required for the general admission seating. Doors will open at 7:15 p.m. Dawkins' presentation is part of Iowa State University's National Affairs Series on Innovation and is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow his talk.
Dawkins is the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. He is best known for his gene-centered view of evolution and the concept of memes. His 1976 book, "The Selfish Gene," sparked a revolution in biology. He further popularized his ideas of the gene as the principal unit of selection in evolution in "The Extended Phenotype" in 1982. He is known for writing so that lay readers can understand complex scientific concepts.
Dawkins is also the author of "The God Delusion,” a bestselling critique of religion that championed atheism and promoted scientific principles over creationism and intelligent design. He is a leading figure in the New Atheism. In his most recent book, "An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist," Dawkins presents an intimate memoir of the childhood and intellectual development of the evolutionary biologist. It is the story of how he came to write what is widely held to be one of the most important books of the 20th century.
In addition to the Committee on Lectures, which is funded by the Government of the Student Body, Dawkins' presentation is co-sponsored by the following:
- Department of Animal Science
- Baker Center for Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Department of Chemistry
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- College of Human Sciences
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology
- Department of Entomology
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology
- Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences
- George Gund Lecture Fund
- Graduate and Professional Student Senate
- Department of Horticulture
- Interdepartmental Genetics Program
- Interdepartmental Toxicology
- National Affairs Series
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
- Neuroscience Graduate Program
- Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
- University Library
- Wake Up
More information on ISU lectures is available at http://www.lectures.iastate.edu, or by calling 515-294-9935.
