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SUMMARY:Are there limits to evolution? (Conference 25 & 26 September 2014)
  - See conference website for details: https://wserv4.esc.cam.ac.uk/atle/
DTSTART:20140925T080000Z
DTEND:20140925T170000Z
UID:TALK49334@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Victoria Ling
DESCRIPTION:*Are there limits to evolution? (Conference 25 & 26 September 
 2014)*\n\nWhat will evolutionary biology look like in 50 years? More of th
 e same or will there be new paradigms\, new syntheses? What lies on the ho
 rizon?\n\nThe impact of evolution is undeniable\, but it can be viewed thr
 ough different lenses. For the scientist it is the investigative disciplin
 e\, mapping out the history of life\, uncovering its intricacies and revea
 ling its mechanisms. For others it might be the grand narrative\, and acro
 ss society it brings different meanings—sometimes to the point of polari
 zation. Ideas about evolution pervade and influence our self-understanding
 . This was evident throughout the celebrations in 2009 of Darwin’s bicen
 tennial and The Origin’s 150 years. Yet the subject of evolution is not 
 merely “Darwinism”\, let alone “neo-Darwinism”\, but a science tha
 t ought always to seek new questions\, rattle the cage of existing paradig
 ms and not rest content with received wisdom.\n\nThis conference is an opp
 ortunity to focus on the important research objectives\, discuss the best 
 ways to achieve them\, and use these to set a considered agenda for the co
 ntinued study of evolution. What are the questions we now need to define? 
 For instance\;\n\n• Is evolutionary convergence ubiquitous? If so\, is t
 his of any wider significance?\n• Can we define biological complexity? A
 re there limits to complex systems?\n• How do biological systems integra
 te? How do horizontally transmitted genes become incorporated into the gen
 ome?\n• What is the significance of mosaic evolution?\n• How soon befo
 re we detect habitable planets and what is the significance for exobiology
 ?\n• What is the nature of consciousness\, and in the context of neurosc
 ience are there any compelling explanations?\n\nWe invite you to join us i
 n Cambridge. Planning is at an early stage\, which is why we ask for your 
 input\, but at present we envisage four sessions over two days\;\n\n• Co
 mplexity (Morning day 1 + keynote)\n\n• Convergence (Afternoon day 1 + k
 eynote)\n\n• Connectivity/integration (Morning day 2 + keynote)\n\n• F
 ar horizons (Afternoon day 2 + keynote)\n\n\nWe are also open for speaker 
 submissions\; please contact us as soon as possible with your provisional 
 title.
LOCATION:Divinity School\, St John's College\, Cambridge
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