Famed evolutionary biologist comes Thursday to speak at ASU

 by Sasha Malekooti
 published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science will present Richard Dawkins, a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and popular science writer, as the guest lecturer for the 2008 Beyond Annual Lecture on March 6.

The lecture is a free event, and will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Gammage Auditorium. Tickets have sold out for the event, but unclaimed seats will be given away beginning at 7:15 p.m.

Every year, the center provides audiences with a chance to congregate around some of the most influential leaders in the scientific field.

"The Beyond Annual Lecture features the world's greatest thinkers who are invited to push the boundary of their disciplines," said Paul Davies, the director of "Beyond" lectures.

For 2008, the pioneering international center has invited world-renowned biologist and writer, Richard Dawkins.

The lecture will be based on Dawkins's controversial book, "The God Delusion."

As an outspoken atheist, Dawkins has gained much recognition for his dubious view of God and contemptuous outlook regarding religion.

"[Dawkins] has said that religion is a form of child abuse, and that God is a delusion," said Davies. "He has a vision of a world without religion and a God-free view of nature."

According to his Web site, Dawkins holds the Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford. He has written several best-selling books and has made a number of television and radio appearances, concerning evolutionary biology, creationism, and religion.

The lecture will be held at Gammage Auditorium, and over 2,700 people are expected to attend.

"Beyond" is a scientific research center at ASU that was founded in 2007.
According to the "Beyond" Web site, the center is dedicated to confronting the big questions of existence and facilitating new research initiatives that exceed traditional subject categories.

If you go...
What: The Beyond Annual Lecture featuring Dr. Richard Dawkins
Where: Gammage Auditorium
When: Thursday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m.
For more information: beyond.asu.edu

Reach the reporter at: sasha.malekooti@asu.edu.