200 years ago Charles Darwin was born. 50 years later, after many adventures, Darwin published a little book, ‘On The Origin of Species’. This little book went on to have an influence well beyond its author’s lifetime. In recent years, Darwin has been brought into a fierce debate between religion and science. In this talk at the University of Sydney’s regular Sydney Ideas programme, Professor Michael Ruse gives personal, philosophical and scientific reasons for why Darwin’s theories have endured and should endure well into the future.
Professor Michael Ruse is a world-leading expert on the social and philosophical consequences of Darwin’s theories. He is a Professor of Philosophy and Director of the History and Philosophy of Science Program at Florida State University. In 1981 he was called up as a witness for the plaintiff of the State law in the case of the Arkansas school system teaching "creation science". He has written more than 20 books on Darwin and his influence, including Darwinism and its Discontents (2006), The Evolution-Creation Struggle (2005) and Darwin and Design: Does evolution have a purpose? (2003). He is also the founder of the journal Biology and Philosophy.