2005 Press Releases

08 Dec 2005

Does Evolution have a Destination, Even a Destiny? - Last Lecture Series, 14 December



Where are we going? Not a small question, but one that will be addressed by Professor Simon Conway Morris of the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, in the concluding lecture of this year's UCC Science Lecture Series, on December 14th next.

As part of Cork City's celebration of European Capital of Culture 2005, visiting lecturers were asked this year to prepare material as if were their last opportunity to deliver a lecture - hence the sub-title, The Last Lecture Series - and throughout the past number of months, enthusiastic audiences have enjoyed being addressed on topics as diverse as the future of computers, food safety, mental health and suicide.

In the concluding lecture, titled: Does Evolution have a Destination, Even a Destiny? Professor Conway Morris will look at the evidence of evolution on Earth, culminating in several types of intelligence, with mankind at the top of the chain. He will also discuss several other types of relatively advanced intelligence found in animals such as dolphins, and perhaps a few species that may give rise to some surprise. But what does it all mean? Is our evolutionary path laid down to the point of predictability, and if not, where next for mankind?

As space exploration gathers pace and becomes ever more daring in its range and vision, one obvious question, Professor Conway Morris says, concerns our status in the Universe. Are we alone, merely a cosmic chance that took hold on the Blue Planet? Is anyone out there? And why have we not yet found them? It's not for the want of trying, he adds, and even as our knowledge of the Universe increases exponentially, ET has not called home and there has been no contact.

We know, however, Professor Conway Morris says, that several star systems not too far away (give or take a few light years), have planets similar to ours and that the potential for an upwelling of intelligence may exist there as well. With the advent of nanotechnology and quantum computing, it is difficult to believe, given the will to do so, that man will not overcome challenges involved in reaching out even further into space, he adds. Are we likely to meet extra terrestrial cousins? Professor Conway Morris will give his views during the lecture. Or is it simply, as Pierre Teilhard de Chardin has suggested, that mankind will evolve to what he has called the "Omega Point", a level of sublime unity in consciousness that will signal the end of the world? "He may have been on to something," Professor Conway Morris says.

Science has yet to show why the Universe is as it is, and it may well be the case, Professor Conway Morris says, that the future will turn out to be much more dynamic than we think. Indeed, reality itself might become the subject of debate. Steadfast in his determination not to give anything away, he promised: "I will have a small surprise at the end of the lecture."

As always, admission to the lecture is free and members of the public are invited to attend. The venue is Boole Lecture Theatre 4 on Wednesday December 14th at 8pm. The series is organised by Professor William Reville of the Science Faculty, UCC.

158MMcS


« Back to 2005 Press Releases

                 

University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

Top