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: info@scienceandfaith.org.uk 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