Resource person: Audra Bullard - office@clehighlands.com

Description:

Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859) marked the public debut of the theory of evolution by natural selection, a seismic event in science and society. While subsequent public debates over the theory are often (and simplistically) portrayed as a struggle between science and religion, the truth is far more nuanced. It is largely unappreciated, for example, that non-religious and religious people alike, including clergy, were (and are) found both among Darwin’s most ardent supporters as well as his most vocal detractors. Or, that Darwin’s own closest friends and fiercest supporters themselves reflected a diversity of religious views ranging from deeply devout to agnostic. In this course and drawing on materials from his most recent book, Radical By Nature: the Revolutionary Life of Alfred Russel Wallace, Dr. Costa will examine the development of the Darwin-Wallace theory, its implications for society, and how doubt and devotion played out in unexpected ways within and without Darwin’s circle — and what this can teach us today. This program is in collaboration with the Highlands Biological Station.

Dr. James (Jim) Costa is executive director and professor at Highlands Biological Station of Western Carolina University in Highlands, NC. An entomologist, evolutionary biologist, and Darwin and Wallace scholar, Jim’s most recent books include Radical by Nature: The Revolutionary Life of Alfred Russel Wallace (Princeton, 2023), and Darwin and the Art of Botany: Observations on the Curious World of Plants (Timber, 2023). His honors include the Alfred Russel Wallace Medal of the Wallace Memorial Fund (2017) and the Stephen Jay Gould Prize of the Society for the Study of Evolution (2023).

Notes: Cancellation Policy Please let us know immediately if you are unable to attend a class. There is no refund for cancellations within two (2) weeks prior to a scheduled class. Programs that include food, beverage or art materials must be canceled within three (3) weeks prior to receive a refund. CLE reserves the right to cancel a program if the minimum enrollment has not been met or for circumstances beyond our control, and participants will be notified, a complete refund will be issued. All classes are held in the CLE Lecture Hall at the Peggy Crosby Center unless otherwise noted. In the event information has changed from the published brochure, it will be posted on our website and in our e-blasts. Addresses for “private home” venues will be provided to registrants within 2 days of the program date.

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