October 27, 2000

World-renowned evolutionary biologist to lecture

Eminent biologist Paul R. Ehrlich, Ph.D., will give a lecture on "Human Natures and the Human Future" on November 2, at 8 p.m. in Roussel Hall. A booksigning will follow the free lecture, which is being sponsored in part by the Biever Guest Lecture Series.

In an engaging narrative spiced with personal anecdotes, Ehrlich will discuss genetic destiny and explore the debate of whether genes or environment determine our behaviors. He will discuss his new book, Human Natures: Genes, Cultures, and the Human Prospect, in which he explores the interplay between biological and cultural evolution in order to understand the evolutionary history and future. Ehrlich believes it is total evolutionary history rather than just genetic heritage that influences and determines human behavior.

Some of the topics Ehrlich will cover are how culture and history have influenced the evolution of humankind, the role environment has played in evolution, why and how our ancestors developed religion, art, agriculture, writing, and political states, and the debates over the sources of human values.

Ehrlich is the Bing Professor of population studies and biological sciences at Stanford University. He is the recipient of the Crafoord Prize and the Blue Planet Prize.