The Great Debate: Can Science Tell Us Right From Wrong?
The intellectually curious gathered at Gammage Auditorium Nov. 6 to attend “The Great Debate: Can Science Tell Us Right From Wrong?” The event brought together a distinguished panel of scientists, philosophers and public intellectuals to take part in a public discussion on the origins of morality. It was sponsored by The ASU Origins Project, the Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law, the Faculty of Philosophy, Cambridge University and The Science Network.
Harvard College professor Steven Pinker (right) checks his messages prior to the beginning of the evening’s event.
Sam Harris, New York Times best selling author and cofounder/CEO of Project Reason (left) gave the first presentation of the evening. Patricia Smith Churchland and Peter Singer (right) listen.
Patricia Smith Churchland, emeritus professor of philosophy at UC San Diego and adjunct professor at Salk Institute, gave her views.
Peter Singer, the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton and much-published author, furthered the discussion.
Lawrence Krauss, Simon Blackburn and Steven Pinker listen to the presentations.
Lawrence Krauss, Foundation Professor at ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration, director of the ASU Origins Project and renowned physicist, makes his presentation.
Simon Blackburn, professor of philosophy from the University of Cambridge, carried on the arguments in the debate.
Steven Pinker, the Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, makes his views known.
Roger Bingham (left), director of the Science Network, served as moderator as the group took questions from the audience following their presentations. In the center is Lawrence Krauss and at right is Simon Blackburn.
At the book signing following the event, Peter Singer listens to an audience member’s views.
Simon Blackburn, Lawrence Krauss and Steven Pinker sign books and greet fans following the event. For more information on the Origins Project and upcoming events, visit http://origins.asu.edu.