Evolution and culture. Human nature in transformation

Darwin’s nineteenth-century theory of evolution is, without a doubt, one of the scientific theories that have most transformed our vision of the world as well as the way we understand our own species. Today, Darwinism sees the evolution of the human species as being not only biologically but also culturally based and, moreover, considers that it might even be impossible to distinguish one influence from the other. Our propensity for creativity, morality or working in concert with others are certainly features which have been given specific forms by our social and cultural settings but this would not have been possible without the human nature that favoured these traits, or the thousands of years of evolution that nurtured them. Recent discoveries in the fields of genetics and evolutionary biology confirm this intimate relationship between biology and culture. What is natural? What is acquired? It is possible that these questions are ceasing to make sense and we shall have to start understanding that human nature is a composite of biological-cultural complexity in constant transformation.

This lecture cycle is a continuation of the dialogue between the life sciences and the humanities which the B·Debate International Center for Scientific Debate Barcelona and the CCCB have jointly offered since 2011.

Time: all sessions will start at 19:30h

Simultaneous translation into Catalan is offered. Entrance 3€. Tickets at CCCB or www.telentrada.com