Events

February 27, 2014 at 2:30 pm

Kennedy Lecture: Natural History and Aesthetics: Why Should We Care about Nature? March 18

The  Kennedy Lecture Series presents Dr. Harry W. Greene on “Natural history and aesthetics: why should we care about nature?” on March 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium at Ohio University.

Greene is the Stephen Weiss Presidential Fellow and Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University. He is a preeminent author and scholar on the natural history of reptiles and amphibians and of late the re-wilding of conservation. His presentation will describe how natural history plays a vital role in enhancing an appreciation for organisms and environments, thereby influencing the value judgments that ultimately underlie all conservation. The diversity of life on earth is under serious threats from multiple human—related causes, and science plays well-known roles in addressing management of this problem.

His books will be available for sale and he will be autographing after the lecture

This event is free and open to the public. More information about the Kennedy Lecture Series. The Kennedy Lecture series is funded through an endowment by the late Edwin and Ruth Kennedy

Abstract: The diversity of life on earth is under serious threats from human-related causes, and science plays well-known roles in addressing management aspects of this problem. His presentation will describe how natural history also plays a vital role in enhancing appreciation for organisms and environments, thereby influencing value judgments that ultimately underlie all conservation. He will first explain how an 18th century philosopher’s distinction between “beauty” and “sublime” can be used in the context of Darwin’s notion of “descent with modification,” then illustrate this approach with frogs, snakes, African megafauna, Longhorns, and California Condors.

Greene will also be presenting at Ecolunch March 19th in Room 159.

For more information, contact Dr. Scott Moody, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, at moody@ohio.edu.

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