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Spring Meeting 2012

April 13-14, 2012

Myth

Tucson Room at Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP), Berkeley, California

Schedule

Friday, Apr 13
2-5 pm - Paper Session
5-7 pm - Business Meeting, Social Time, Dinner (Cost for Dinner = $25, RSVP)
7-8:30 pm - Public Lecture, Gaymon Benett (Fred Hutchinson Center for Cancer Research)
"TBD"

Saturday, Apr 14
9–9:30 am - Continental Breakfast
9:30 am-noon - Paper Session

Note:  Starting time has changed for Friday evening lecture and Saturday morning start time since last meeting. They are each 30 mins earlier (and have reverted to the times they were a couple of years ago).

Paper Session - Friday, April 13, 2-5 pm

Brandon Williams Craig

"TBD" ()
Respondent is Robert Walters (Joseph Campbell Foundation)


Durwood Foster

"TBD" ( )
Respondent is TBD



Paper Session - Saturday, April 14, 9:30 am-noon

Ted Peters (PLTS)

"Myth in the Heart of Science: What about ETI?" (pdf, doc)
Respondent is Lou Ann Trost, SJSU

When we define myth as an extra-scientific set of assumptions that picture the world in comprehensive or ultimate scope, then this term can help us uncover and identify myths lying at the heart of science. In particular, scientists working within the field of astrobiology frequently work with an evolutionary myth, a metanarrative that assumes biological evolution is progressive, leading to increased intelligence, to science, and to secular salvation both on Earth and elsewhere in outer space. Curiously, this myth is shared with UFO aficionados and the wider culture. This ETI Myth reflects a pre-modern religious impulse distorted in its modern secular disguise. Even if we encourage and celebrate the hard work of SETI scientists who are valiantly searching for new space neighbors, our diagnosis is that myth can be found in the heart of this science.

TBD ()

"" ()
Respondent is TBD





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