Abstract Detail

Plenary Address - Dr. Kenneth Miller

Miller, Kenneth R [1].

Darwinian Grandeur, Darwinian Conflict: America’s Continuing Problem with Evolution.

Today, 151 years after the publication of On the Origin of Species, evolution is still controversial in the United States. Why is that the case? Is it the result of fundamental scientific flaws with the theory? Or does it reflect a deeper unease within our society about the nature of science itself?
Why does the very mention of the word “evolution” incite such passions among Americans? Why do many prominent Americans, and even Presidential candidates seem to feel they must reject “Darwinism” to demonstrate their solidarity with a large segment of the American populace? Is this the result of genuine scientific problems with evolutionary theory? As I will describe, evolution has never been on a sounder scientific footing than it is today. Evolution unifies botany with fields as disparate as genetics, physiology, paleontology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. There is a way, I will suggest, to bring the strength of this scientific consensus to bear on public discourse. Doing so will not only increase public support and appreciation of science, but may give the scientific community a better appreciation of the relationship of science to our larger culture.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Brown University, 69 Brown Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Special Presentation
Session: S1
Location: Ballroom A/Convention Center
Date: Sunday, August 1st, 2010
Time: 7:30 PM
Number: S1001
Abstract ID:63