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Human Being — Being Human 6-8 March 2015, Malvern, Worcestershire
Malvern Science and Faith
Weekend 2015
For progressive people of faith - as for open
minded scientists - there need be no intrinsic
conflict between religious faith and the
scientific disciplines. Rather both these sets
of approaches to life on this planet and
beyond are regarded as explorations of
existence and a search for reliable answers.
Many of us, of course, live with and thrive on
both types of enquiry.
One of the most fundamental questions
raised in both religious and scientific
discourse concerns ourselves: what does it
mean to be human? Answers can be offered
from a number of scientific standpoints. Our
physics and our chemistry can, in principle at
least, offer some definitions, and the
medically-related disciplines of physiology,
anatomy, neurology and psychology have
much to contribute.
Every religious or spiritual discipline has its
‘anthropology’ – an explicit or else inferable
understanding of our species and its place in
the order of things. From this understanding
flow many of our religious and spiritual
practices, ranging from family life to politics.
The speakers at the 2015 Malvern Science
and Faith Weekend will address the topic of
Human Being – Being Human from their own
standpoints, and the accompanying
discussions and activities will allow
participants to follow up their own interests
within this overall theme. An important part
of the Weekend is the art and science activity
day for children, which includes demonstra-
tions, workshops and themed shows.
There is no charge for entry to events at
Malvern Science and Faith Weekend, though,
there are considerable expenses. As in
previous years, we will ask at each event for
your donations towards those costs.
Refreshments will be available at many of
the venues. Buffet lunches must be booked
in advance—see event descriptions.
Booking for the events is strongly
recommended. This can be done via the
website or Eventbrite or by telephone.
Details are found below.
Contact and booking details
Website: www.scienceandfaith.org.uk Booking: www.msf2015.eventbrite.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/ malvernscienceandfaithweekend
Twitter: @MalvernSF Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01684 565708
Welcome Welcome to the 2015 Malvern Faith and Science Weekend for people of all religions or none. Since its beginning in 2012, it has become a major item in the UK’s calendar of science and religion activities. It offers a wonderful opportunity to become better informed and to en-gage through talks, discussion and other activities, in open dialogue on matters of key importance to us all as human beings. The theme this year, what it means to be human, has both scientific and spiritual as-pects that will certainly enlighten us and hopefully enable us to play our part in creating a more open and caring world. I recommend the weekend with great enthusiasm.
Professor Eric Priest, FRS, University of St Andrews
Human Being: The Evolving Animal
Dr Fern Elsdon-Baker
Fern Elsdon-Baker is a Senior Research fellow at Coventry
University, leading on humanities and social sciences re-
search on public space discourse, and promoting research
in science history and communication at national level.
She specialises in ‘clash narratives’ such as ‘evolutionary
science vs. religion’, and intercultural, interfaith and inter-
group dialogue. Originally trained in environmental sci-
ence, her PhD was in history and philosophy of evolution-
ary science. Her subsequent research focused on theories
of inheritance, science communication and its relationship to scientific knowledge
production leading to her 2009 book Selfish Genius: How Richard Dawkins Rewrote
Darwin’s Legacy. She was head of the British Council’s Darwin Now Project, before
becoming Director of the Belief in Dialogue Programme, exploring how people in
the UK and internationally can live peacefully with diversity and difference.
Professor Eric Olson
Eric Olson is a professor of philosophy in the University of
Sheffield, specialising in metaphysics and the philosophy
of mind. He has published many papers in philosophical
journals as well as reviews: his most recent book is What
Are We? A Study in Personal Ontology (Oxford University
Press 2007). Eric is perhaps best known for his current
work on themes of personal identity (so-called
‘animalism’). He will address the weekend's theme by
asking whether we human beings actually ARE animals,
and why many philosophers, both past and present, think we're not. The debate
has important practical and moral implications.
Professor Eric Olson and Dr Fern Elsdon-Baker give their perspectives
7.30pm Friday 6th March 2015
The Chase School, Geraldine Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3NZ
Being Human: Beginnings and Endings
Professor Dawn Brooker
Dawn Brooker is a qualified clinical psychologist, with
practical experience of helping people and families cope
with challenges towards the end of life. She has had a
distinguished career both in clinical practice and in aca-
demia working in health and social care services for older
people. In 2009 she took up her current post as the Direc-
tor of the Association for Dementia Studies at the Univer-
sity of Worcester. She has a longstanding interest in the
concept of person-hood in dementia care and how ser-
vices can either support or undermine personhood. Working with June Jones, she
will address the subject of Being Human with particular reference to the beginnings
and endings of life.
Dr June Jones
June Jones works across the College of Medical and Dental
Sciences at the University of Birmingham where she is Sen-
ior Lecturer in Biomedical Ethics and Law. After qualifying
as a nurse, she rapidly developed an interest in intensive
care. This led to an MSc in Health Care Ethics and Law, a
subject she taught at Liverpool University. She researched
beginning and end of life issues within a philosophical
framework for her PhD. Her heading Birmingham’s MSc in
Biomedical Ethics and Law was a natural progression. Her
research interests include such diverse topics as religious and cultural diversity and
the repatriation of human remains to their place of origin. June Jones, working with
Dawn Brooker, brings her experience as a medical educator and ethical specialist to
the theme of Being Human at the beginning and end of life.
Professor Dawn Brooker and Dr June Jones lead a morning workshop
10.00am to 1.00pm Saturday 7th March 2015
The Chase School, Geraldine Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3NZ
Admission free, but places must be booked in advance. Refreshments: see next page
An afternoon with philosophers Professor Raymond Tallis and Dr
Shabbir Akhtar
Chaired by Dr Peter Moore
Professor Raymond Tallis
Dr Shabbir Akhtar
2pm Saturday 7th March 2015
The Chase School
Geraldine Road, Malvern,
Worcestershire, WR14 3NZ
Admission free, but places must be
booked in advance
Being Human: Evolving Consciousness I
Professor Raymond Tallis
Raymond Tallis was Professor of Geri-
atric Medicine at the University of
Manchester and a consulting physician
in health care of the elderly in Salford.
He retired from medicine in 2006 to
concentrate on his writing. Over the
last 20 years he has published fiction,
three volumes of poetry, and 23 books
on the philosophy of mind, philosophi-
cal anthropology, literary theory, and
the nature of art and cultural criticism.
As a well-known humanist, he has con-
tributed extensively to current debate
on assisted dying. In more than two
hundred articles in learned journals he
offers a critique of current intellectual
trends and an alternative understand-
ing of human consciousness, the na-
ture of language and of what it is to be
a human being.
Malvern Book Co-operative are provid-
ing a bookstall on Saturday morning and
afternoon. They will be offering books
for sale by speakers at the whole of the
Malvern Science and Faith Weekend.
Tea and Coffee will be provided during
the morning and afternoon sessions. For
those people attending both the morn-
ing and afternoon sessions a buffet
lunch will be available. Lunch may be
booked via the website or telephone.
Dr Shabbir Akhtar
Few scholars are as well placed as is
Shabbir Akhtar to discuss the nature of
human being from a philosophical and
religious point of view. He has worked
in the field of race relations, has a doc-
torate in the Philosophy of Religion and
has taught on this subject in universi-
ties in Malaysia and the USA. He has
published widely on Christianity and
Islam in academic journals and the na-
tional press. He is currently a research
fellow at the Centre of Muslim-
Christian Studies in Oxford. His recent
books include The Quran and the Secu-
lar Mind and Islam as Political Religion.
Being Human: Evolving Consciousness I
Dr Peter Moore
Pete Moore’s books focus on ways in
which science and technology arise
from human creativity and, in a reflex-
ive fashion, shape not only how we
live, but who we are as human beings.
He is keen to stimulate critical debate
about the realistic possibilities for fu-
ture technologies. As a multi-award
winning author, his work has been
published internationally and he has
worked as a rapporteur at meetings in
St George’s House, Windsor and the
House of Lords. He is a member of the
Physiological Society, the Medical Jour-
nalist’s Association and the Association
of British Science Writers, and is a Fel-
low of the Royal Society of Arts. It is in
these capacities that he will lead and
participate in the Malvern Science and
Faith Weekend 2015.
Being Human: Evolving Consciousness II
Professor Susan Blackmore
Sue Blackmore is a writer, lecturer and broadcaster and a
visiting professor at the University of Plymouth. In 2001
she gave up her Readership at the University of the West
of England to free herself from the constrictions (and se-
curity) of the heavily regulated and burdened academy to
develop her own research and teaching as a freelance.
She has published widely and, arguably, engages with a
wider public than would otherwise be possible. Her re-
search interests bear directly on the theme of Malvern
Science & Faith Weekend 2015, because she is an acknowledged contributor to the
development of consciousness studies and to aspects of evolutionary theory that
bear upon cultural transmission. As a well-known humanist, she has an understand-
ing of being human and human being that may challenge some religious under-
standings.
This afternoon's theme continues with a presentation by Professor Susan
Blackmore followed by Question Time Discussion
7.30pm Saturday 7th March 2015
St Matthias Church, Church Road, Malvern, WR14 1NP
There will be an interval of 20 minutes for refreshments
Question Time
Prof. Susan Blackmore Prof. Raymond Tallis Dr Shabbir Akhtar Dr Peter Moore
Pete Moore will chair a meeting of three very different speakers, each expert in
their field. Question Time opens up possibilities for exciting exchange between
them and their audience.
Human Being: Brains & Bots - Workshops—Art—Science—Robots—Demonstrations
10am to 4pm Saturday 7th March 2015
Holly Mount URC, Queens Drive, Great Malvern, WR14 4RE
Dr Jon Wood
Jon Wood has a background in microbiology, teaching psychology and neurosci-
ence, and he now translates chemical engineering research at the University of Bir-
mingham into something school children can become involved in. He has delivered
live science experiences for the BBC Learning and Science teams on tour with Bang
Goes The Theory, on The One Show, at Cheltenham Science Festivals and for CBBC’s
Absolute Genius Live and Live in Leeds as well as at the Edinburgh Festival. His lat-
est show opened the Solar Stage at the Green Man festival, Wales. Jon brings exam-
ples from chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, literature, art and history for the
purpose of delivering inspirational demonstrations. His workshops at Malvern Sci-
ence and Faith Weekend 2015 offer engagement and excitement to people of all
ages and educational experience.
11am Fifty Shades of Grey Matter
A demonstration-based talk on the history of neu-
roimaging
1pm What You Know and Why You Don’t
Psychological experiences
3pm The Sporty Conundrum
A workshop-based session where we extract our DNA
and discuss the role of hereditary factors in what
makes us individuals.
Café Robotique
Enjoy refreshments at Café Robotique –
tea, coffee, soft drinks and a fabulous selec-
tion of cakes and Robot biscuits.
Served throughout the day
A Day of Activities for Young People Art and Science activities
Using our imaginative minds and physical
skills to make body-inspired crafts.
These take place throughout the day. There
is a small charge for some activities
Robotics
Gain an introduction to robotics with QinetiQ STEM Ambassadors. QinetiQ is committed
to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach programmes
which engage young people in a variety of STEM activities. Capitalising on the exper-
tise and enthusiasm of its employees as STEM practitioners, the STEM Ambassadors
programme is pivotal to all interactions
with pupils, primarily at 11-14 years. In
these workshops participants will be intro-
duced to robotics through the use of Lego
Mindstorm robots. In small teams the par-
ticipants will each undertake timed chal-
lenges with the robots.
These sessions will take place at 12noon
and 2pm and must be booked in advance.
Timetable—at a glance
10am Activities open
11am Fifty Shades of Grey Matter
12noon QinetiQ Robotics Workshop
1pm What You Know and Why You Don’t
2pm QinetiQ Robotics Workshop
3pm The Sporty Conundrum
4pm Close
Human Being: More Than Matter
3pm Sunday 8th March 2015
Friends Meeting House
1 Orchard Road, Malvern WR14 2DA
Professor Keith Ward
Keith Ward has a distinguished career in philosophy, philosophy of religion and the-
ology. He has held chairs in London and Oxford and is renowned for his stance as a
religious writer and teacher working in a context of widespread religious illiteracy
as well as aggressive atheism. A respecter of scientific enquiry and understanding,
he confronts the reductionism which asserts that the limits of scientific knowledge
represent a definition of all there is. For him, the material universe can be under-
stood as the expression of a Supreme Mind. Rather than putting diverse views into
a binary opposition, he seeks to relate ancient religious beliefs (he is a past Presi-
dent of the World Congress of Faiths) with a modern scientific world view. He main-
tains it is important that religious beliefs, whatever their origin are conducive to the
flourishing of all sentient life and that they are viewed in the context of other be-
liefs set in a global context. The title of Keith Ward’s presentation reflects one of his
recent books: More than Matter? What Humans Really Are (Lion Books: 2010).
Being Human: Justice and Social Engagement Justice and Social Engagement
A Sunday morning service led by Roger Ray
11am Sunday 8th March 2015
Holly Mount URC, Queens Drive, Malvern
WR14 4RE
Thou Shalt Not Stand Idly By
Lunchtime talk by Roger Ray
1pm-2pm Sunday 8th March 2015
Holly Mount URC, Queens Drive, Malvern
Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize
winner Elie Wiesel has said that there is a
new commandment: ‘Thou shalt not
stand idly by’. Roger Ray leads a session
based on his recent book, Progressive
Faith and Practice, in which he presents
an evidence-based approach to faith lead-
ing to active confrontation of injustice,
violence and discrimination.
A buffet lunch is available
Revd Dr Roger Ray
Roger Ray is the founding pastor of a
community church in Springfield, south
-west Missouri. He graduated in philos-
ophy at Murray State University before
his Masters and subsequent doctorate
at Vanderbilt University. He was Merri-
ell Fellow 2004 at Harvard Divinity
School and has been pastor of a num-
ber of community churches before
undertaking the challenge of pre-
senting a thoughtful and scientifically
open theology in the ‘Bible Belt’. He is
an active campaigner on social issues,
working locally, nationally and interna-
tionally in poverty relief. His regular
religion and ethics column From the
Left in the Springfield News-Leader has
made him something of a target for
conservative critics. Roger will lead the
Sunday service before presenting his
lunchtime talk ‘Thou Shalt Not Stand
Idly By’.
Scientific and Spiritual Knowledge: Two
Kinds of Truth?
Jonathan Penley investigates the relationship
between science of the material world and
spiritual understanding. Concludes with some
music.
3pm - 4:30pm Friday 6th March
Friends Meeting House, 1 Orchard Road,
Malvern, WR14 3DA
Sacred Singing by Candlelight
Some devotional chants in the style of Taizé
7:30pm - 9:00pm Sunday 8th March
Friends Meeting House, Malvern, WR14 3DA
Human Being - Being Human: At a Glance
Malvern Science and Faith Weekend is organ-ised by Holly Mount United Reformed Church working with a small group of committed individuals in the community. Malvern Sci-ence and Faith Weekends began in 2012. Their success has led to discussions with re-lated ventures in Malvern and to proposals
for a charitable trust to develop this work.
Updates on these proposals will be found on the Malvern Science and Faith webpage and in the local Press in due course.
The 2016 Malvern Science and Faith Week-end will be 4-6 March 2016
6th March 2015
3pm to 4.30pm
Scientific and Spiritual Knowledge: Two
Kinds of Truth? Jonathan Penley Friends Meeting House
6th March 2015
7.30pm
Human Being: The Evolving Experiment
Fern Elsdon-Baker, Eric Olson Chase School
7th March 2015
10am to 1pm
Being Human: Beginnings and Endings
June Jones, Dawn Brooker Chase School
7th March 2015
2pm to 5pm
Being Human: Evolving Consciousness I
Raymond Tallis, Shabbir Akhtar, Peter
Moore
Chase School
7th March 2015
7.30pm
Being Human: Evolving Consciousness II Susan Blackmore, Roger Ray, Raymond
Tallis, Shabbir Akhtar, Peter Moore
St Matthias
7th March 2015
10am to 4pm
Human Being: Brains and Bots
A Day of Activities for Young People Holly Mount
8th March 2015
11am
Sunday Service Roger Ray
Holly Mount
8th March 2015
1pm to 2pm
Thou Shalt not Stand Idly by Roger Ray
Holly Mount
8th March 2015 3pm
Human Being: More Than Matter Keith Ward
Friends Meeting House
8th March 2015
7.30pm to 9pm
Sacred Singing by Candlelight Jonathan Penley with others
Friends Meeting House