Home    Events    Darwin Day

Darwin Day Cosponsored by Willamette University Link to The Official Darwin Day web site. Upcoming Events Friday, February 25 - 7:00 PM Darwin Day 2011 A Fresh Look at Intelligent Design Dr. James Laidler Multnomah Arts Center Room #34 7688 SW Capitol Hwy Portland, OR 97219 503-823-2787 IF Intelligent Design (ID) is to be taught as a science instead of a philosophy, it needs to be able to make testable predictions about the Universe. It doesn't make testable predictions about life, so it is usually discounted as a hypothesis. ("Not even a theory" is how Laidler puts it.) HOWEVER, if we tentatively accept the Universe that Intelligent Design posits, then ID does inform us about one feature of that Universe: the Designer. Laidler will go through a series of examples showing how these examples can be interpreted in light of the Designer. The first step is to "test" the hypothesis "Is the Designer fallible or infallible?" In the end, Laidler says, if we accept the ID hypothesis, the Designer is a terribly fallible being. James Laidler, M.D., is currently an adjunct professor of Biology at Portland State University where he teaches Virology (BI 421/521). He has returned to PSU to pursue a Ph.D. in Biology, and in addition to teaching, he is finishing his graduate thesis. DIRECTIONS Coming from the NORTH of Portland: Take Interstate 5 (I-5) SOUTH to PORTLAND. Take the MULTNOMAH BLVD exit = EXIT 296B. Turn RIGHT on 31st AVENUE, at the first stoplight, after 0.6 mi. Turn LEFT on SW CAPITOL HWY, at the stop sign. The Multnomah Arts Center is the building on the left. The front & west parking lots are accessible from SW CAPITOL HWY. There is also a back parking lot off SW 31st AVENUE between MULTNOMAH BLVD and SW CAPITOL HWY. From SOUTH of Portland: Take I-5 NORTH to PORTLAND. Take the BARBUR BLVD exit = EXIT 294. Merge onto SW BARBUR BLVD/PACIFIC HWY W. Turn SHARP LEFT onto ramp. Turn RIGHT onto SW CAPITOL HWY. Travel 1.3 miles. The Multnomah Arts Center is the building on the right. The front & west parking lots are accessible from SW CAPITOL HWY. There is also a back parking lot off SW 31st AVENUE between MULTNOMAH BLVD and SW CAPITOL HWY. Past Events Friday, February 13, 2009 Film "Judgment Day" Celebrate Darwin's 200th birthday followed by discussion with Willamette University faculty February 13, 2008- Willamette University Campus - Salem, OR FILM: Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus A docudrama by Randy Olson View the trailer: www.flockofdodos.com The film attempts to determine who the real "dodos" are in a constantly evolving world: the scientists who are failing to promote evolution as a scientifically accepted fact, the intelligent design advocates, or the American public who get fooled by the salesmanship of the Discovery Institute. From the National Center for Science Education: http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2006 /ZZ/707_nationwide_screenings_of_flock_12_6_2006.asp This is the first feature length film to examine both sides of the controversy over the teaching of intelligent design vs. evolution in public schools. Panel Discussion - Willamette University faculty, including: Steven Green, Professor of Law and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Law and Democracy Douglas McGaughey, Professor, Department of Religious Studies; Executive Secretary PNW Region of the American Academy of Religion (AAR), Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), and American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) Melinda Gormley, Historian of Science and Professor of Science Studies Ben Crabtree, Professor, Department of Biology Frank Benford, Consultant, Applied Mathematician February 7, 2007 - Oregon State University, Corvallis. Nicholas Matzke examined the 2005 Dover, Pennsylvania, trial which tested whether "Intelligent Design" could be taught alongside evolution in Dover public school biology classes. A key question for the court to decide was whether "Intelligent Design" is science or religion. February 9, 2007 - Willamette University, Salem. "Creationism on Trial." A panel discussion with Dr. Steven Green, WU Director of the Center for Law and Government; Dr. Brent Dalrymple, 2005 National Medal of Science Laureate, scientific expert on the age of the earth, and expert witness in the 1981 court case McLean v. Arkansas which overturned a law requiring "equal time" for creationism; and Nicholas Matzke, scientific advisor at the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial on "intelligent design." Videos of Darwin Day speakers (Links to Google Video): Dr. Steven Green 33 min 13 sec Description: Legal aspects of creationist arguments. Dr. Brent Dalrymlpe 17 min 17 sec Description: History of other Creationists trials. Nick Matzke 36 min 45 sec Description: Overview of the Dover PA trial. Q & A Session 23 min 50 sec Description: Q & A from the audience. Saturday, February 11, 2006 - Willamette University, Salem. Willamette University Faculty discussed how they came to their views on evolution by natural selection and how each person's views relate to his scholarly and educational work. Oregon high school teachers shared their experiences teaching evolution in public schools. Educators on this panel gave their perspectives on recent court cases and how they may influence attitudes about teaching in public schools.