Steve Fuller
Evolution, Intelligent Design and the Meaning of "Life Science"
Monday, 10 March 2008, Large Operon, 16:00 h
Steve Fuller, University of Warwick
I shall argue that beyond the political and scientific issues that dominate the public debates evolution vs. intelligent design lies the metascientific issue of what is entailed by the idea of "life science": Which disciplines are involved? What methods are used? What are its goals? Perhaps the most intellectually fruitful discussions are to be had at this level, as defenders of evolution and intelligent design tend to draw different lessons from the history of biology to justify their own position.
Steve Fuller is Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick, UK. Originally trained in history and philosophy of science, he is best known for the research programme of "social epistemology", which is the title of a quarterly journal he founded in 1987 and the first of his fifteen books. Recent ones include New Frontiers in Science and Technology Studies (Polity) Science vs. Religion? Intelligent Design and the Problem of Evolution (Polity) and Dissent over Descent (Icon). He is President for the Sociology and Social Policy section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.