Sunday, May 22, 2016
3:00 – 4:30pm
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Ground Floor, Q?rius Theater
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC
Dr. David Sloan Wilson will discuss how the newly declared geological epoch—the Anthropocene—based on the dominant impact of humans on the planet, was foreseen by the scientist-priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955). He called it the Noosphere and thought that it would lead to a global consciousness called the Omega Point. Chardin was ahead of his time by regarding humans as not just another species but a new evolutionary process. Wilson will show how modern evolutionary science is catching up with Chardin’s vision and how the Omega Point is possible, but only if we steer toward it by becoming wise managers of evolutionary processes. The discussion will be moderated by Jim Miller, Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology and the Christian Faith, and will feature panelists Rick Potts, Smithsonian Human Origins Program, Fr. Peter Ryan, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Yale University, and Joe Watkins, National Park Service.
This event is free and open to the public.
Related Exhibition: Hall of Human Origins
http://naturalhistory.si.edu/calEvents/one-time-events.asp#/?i=1
http://humanorigins.si.edu/about/events/evolution-and-anthropocene-science-religion-and-human-future