[evo.theory] Fwd: CAPPE Seminar, Friday 30 November

[Rachael Brown]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Daniel Star" <Daniel.Star at anu.edu.au>
> Date: 26 November 2007 1:58:10 PM
> To: <philsoc-l at coombs.anu.edu.au>
> Subject: CAPPE Seminar, Friday 30 November
> Reply-To: "Daniel Star" <Daniel.Star at anu.edu.au>
>
>
> The speaker for the CAPPE seminar on Friday the 30th of November  
> will be Professor Paul Griffiths  (University of Sydney).
> Title:  ‘Is there a Problem with Public Understanding of Genetics?’
> (Paul Griffiths, Joan Leach and Polly Ambermoon)
>
> ABSTRACT
> Recent literature on science communication and the public  
> understanding of science has rejected a 'deficit model' in which the  
> aim of science communication is to bring the views of the public  
> into line with those of scientific experts. Instead, it is argued,  
> the aim should be to empower a disparate range of publics to  
> construct representations of science that effectively serve their  
> own needs. In the history and philosophy of biology, however, the  
> shortcomings of prevalent ideas about genetics and genomics remain  
> the focus of considerable concern. We argue that these concerns  
> should not be tarred with the same brush as the 'deficit model'.  
> They do not result from 'privileging' the representations of  
> scientific experts, but rather from questioning the adequacy of  
> current representations of genes, genomes and gene action by all  
> groups, expert and non-expert alike. It is argued that these two  
> literatures complement one another, that the rejection of the  
> 'deficit model' should not lead to complacency about the adequacy of  
> the understanding of genetics, and that the aims of science  
> communication can legitimately include amelioration as well as  
> empowerment.
>
> This seminar will be held at 4pm in The Geoffrey Fairbairn Room  
> R1207 in the Haydon-Allen Building, with drinks and dinner to follow.
> All are welcome.
>
>
> ----------------------
> DANIEL STAR
> BPhil DPhil Oxford
>
> Research Fellow
>
> Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics
> The Australian National University
>
> +61 (0)4 32959842 (Mobile)
> +61 (0)2 61259628 (Office)
> +61 (0)2 61256579 (Fax)
>
> LPO Box 8260 ANU
> Canberra ACT 2601
> Australia
>
> http://www.cappe.edu.au
>
> An Australian Research Council funded Special Research Centre
> Charles Sturt University
> University of Melbourne
> The Australian National University
>
>

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