Science and Human Values Lecture Series
A lecture series to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first use of the telescope and the centennial anniversary of Charles Darwin
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In the age of science, Liberal Studies needs to examine the ways in which scientific perspectives contribute to what it means to be human and what genuinely contributes to human flourishing. But physical sciences and the liberal arts have usually been relegated to separate spheres of study, frequently been contrasted as “hard science” (value-free) and “soft science” (values-laden), and sometimes been outrightly opposed to each other. This series has addressed such issues and will end with the help of the final speaker, Brian Floca:
December 11: Brian Floca, An Author and Artist Reflects on Sharing the Space Age
(Reception and book signing at 6:00 p.m. followed by lecture at 7:00 in the Faculty Club in the Leavey Student Center)
This lecture will take a personal turn to help us reflect on the fascination we can all develop for the world of science and for the possibilities of eliciting wonder at science in our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and students. An artist and author of children’s books, Brian Floca will talk about his own journey and his work, what draws him to a topic, and the challenges and pleasures of sharing a scientific subject with a young audience. The lecture will provide an occasion for us also to celebrate the end of the semester and the coming holidays, and copies of Mr. Floca’s book on Apollo 11 will be available for purchase as holiday gifts.
Brian Floca studied art, history, and art history at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design, and obtained an MFA degree at the School of Visual Arts in New York. He has illustrated more than two dozen books by others as well as his own children’s books. His book Lightship received a prestigious Sibert Honor Medal. He will be discussing especially Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11, making available to a new generation the story of the moon landing on its 40th anniversary.
