Eunice Belgum Memorial Lectures
2009-2010


Elliott Sober
Hans Reichenbach Professor and William F. Vilas Research Professor at the University of Wisconsin - Madison

Darwin and Intelligent Design
Monday, October 12
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Viking Theater
Can belief in God be reconciled with belief in Darwin's theory of evolution? The two are not in conflict if the God one
has in mind never intervenes in nature. But if one believes in a God who intervenes, does this block believing the theory of evolution? I explore this question by considering
what biologists mean when they say that mutations are "unguided." I also discuss Darwin's personal views about the existence of God, the problem of evil, and Christianity.

 

Did Darwin Write the Origin of Species Backwards?
Monday, October 12
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Viking Theater
After clarifying how Darwin understood natural selection and common ancestry, I consider how the two concepts are related in his theory. I argue that common ancestry has evidential priority. Arguments about natural selection often make use of the assumption of common ancestry, whereas arguments for common ancestry do not require the assumption that natural selection has been at work. In fact, Darwin held that the key evidence for common ancestry comes from characteristics whose evolution is not caused by natural selection. This raises the question of why Darwin puts natural selection first and foremost in the Origin.

 

Booksigning will take place after each lecture • Books are available in the St. Olaf Bookstore • Parking is available for visitors, faculty, and staff in the Buntrock Commons parking lot.
 Map and directions to campus

 

About the Belgum Lectures

The Belgum Lectures, now in their 29th year, honor the memory of Eunice Belgum, who graduated from St. Olaf College in 1967. The lecture series was established in the hope that Eunice's tragic death in 1977 would not end her impact on the profession, teaching, and scholarship she loved so much. While the lectures may be on any topic, the philosophy department makes a special effort to choose topics in areas of special interest to Eunice, namely ethics, philosophy of mind, and feminism.

Eunice received a Ph.D. in philosophy from Harvard University. Her dissertation, "Knowing Better: An Account of Akrasia," was published posthumously by Garland Publishers. Upon leaving Harvard, Eunice began an exceptionally promising career in philosophy, teaching at Trinity College and the College of William and Mary. She was one of the original members of the Society for Women in Philosophy.

The lectures are supported by a fund established by Eunice's family and friends.


Eunice Belgum with her disertation director, Hilary Putnam, and colleague Georges Rey