Challenges to understanding human evolution in a religious context

Transcription

1 Challenges to understanding human evolution in a religious context Presentation to the American Scientific Affiliation Rick Potts Curator, David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution

2 Olorgesailie, East African Rift Valley 1.2 million to 50,000 yrs old

3 Overview 1.A look at the main theme of the Smithsonian s Human Origins Initiative 2.A visual tour of the new exhibition (public presentation of the science of human origins) 3.Challenges & opportunities for conversation in this area of science so prone to conflict with religious understandings

4 O rigins W H A T D O E S I T M E A N T O B E H U M A N? uman Or i g i n s Exhibition Research Education I n i t i a t i v e

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18 O rigins W H A T D O E S I T M E A N T O B E H U M A N? uman Or i g i n s Exhibition Research Education I n i t i a t i v e

19 Smithsonian s Human Origins Collections

20 David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins

21 Humans evolved over millions of years in response to a changing world.

22 Some Highlights of the Hall Nearly 300 objects in the Hall including originals, touchables, casts, and models The only original fossil Neanderthal skeleton housed in the U.S. excavated from Shanidar cave in Iraq Life-size, forensically-accurate reconstructions of early human species, allowing visitors to look into the eyes and faces of their distant ancestors First public display of the Homo floresiensis ( hobbit ) skeleton cast from Flores, Indonesia First exhibition to present human evolution in its environmental context Emphasis on the process of science 22

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25 Milestones in the Evolution of Humans 10,000 years ago 32,000 years ago 800,000 years ago 2.6 million years ago 6 million years ago 90,000 years ago 4 million years ago 1.8 million years ago 200,000 years ago

26 Olorgesailie Rift Valley, Kenya

27 Time: millions of years ago 5 Since 3 million years ago, glacial fluctuations Warm 4.25 δ 18 O 3.5 After 6 million years ago Before 6 million years ago Series1 Cold 2.75 Beginning around 6 million years, warm-cold climate fluctuation became more dramatic. The genus Homo evolved during the strongest fluctuations Data from Zachos et al., 2001

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30 Emphasis on the process of science 65,000 yrs ago - Shanidar 1.8 million yrs ago - Swartkrans 990,000 yrs ago - Olorgesailie

31 Hi-def Dioramas

32 Please tell us what you think: What Does It Mean To Be Human? - Six million years of evolution represented by 76 fossil skulls - Treasures of the Smithsonian collection

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35 La Ferrassie: 60,000 years old Cro-Magnon: 30,000 years old

36 Please tell us what you think: What Does It Mean To Be Human? - Explore the diversity of our family tree - Forensic reconstructions of early humans

37 Homo erectus (female) Lived 1.89 million 70,000 years ago Africa; Asia; possibly Europe Homo heidelbergensis (male) Lived 700, ,000 years ago Europe, Asia, Africa Homo neanderthalensis (male) Lived 200,000 28,000 years ago Europe and Asia Paranthropus boisei (male) Lived million years ago Eastern Africa Australopithecus afarensis (male) Lived million years ago Eastern Africa Australopithecus africanus (female) Lived million years ago Southern Africa Homo floresiensis (female) Lived 95,000-17,000 years ago Southeast Asia; nicknamed Hobbit

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39 One Species Living Worldwide

40 Humans Change the World: The Past & Present Science Updates: 1. Each of us is an ecosystem of microbes 2. The past 400,000 years of CO 2, sea level, temperature

41 Humans Change the World: The Future

42 Public Outreach Goal: To inspire inquiry and further the public s understanding of science

43 HumanOrigins.si.edu -Extensive content on the science of human origins -Unique digital 3D access to fossil specimens -Interactive exhibition floor plan, discussion area for educators -Resources developed by the Broader Social Impacts Committee

44 Human Origins Initiative Invites the public to explore one of the most vibrant fields of scientific discovery and an inspiring area of knowledge The Hall as a celebration of becoming human and the unity of our species Recognizes the connection humans have with all other organisms; emphasizes the uniqueness of our species Articulates with larger societal values and beliefs about humanness and seeks to contribute to our concerns and reflection

45 Challenges in Communicating Positive themes: Human Evolution One of the most compelling questions one can ask; a focus of public fascination; does not present conflict for many people. Media coverage & survey results: Emphasize dissent about the scientific findings and conflict between science and religion. Polls present the issue in terms of belief or acceptance, with the possible answers as alternatives : highlights the conflict mode

46 Challenges in Communicating Human Evolution Our goal: To develop a deeper public understanding and discussion about human evolution This requires: Developing ways of creating a conversation and making the science approachable and meaningful

47 Human Origins Program Education-Outreach Efforts Broader Social Impacts Committee (BSIC) Offer support and advice in light of potential responses from diverse religious and philosophical perspectives to the public presentation of the science of human evolution Promote respectful discussion where the science of human evolution interacts with societal understandings of the world Participate in staff & volunteer training Help respond to public inquiries Develop resources to address the interests Contribute to public events & programs

48 To promote the conversation Outreach Events: March 21, 2010: Science and faith public forum March 27, 2011: Next scheduled public forum HOT Topics sessions: discussion of the relationship between religion and science September 10, 2010: first tour for clergy BSIC project for 2011: congregational guide to assist the discussion of human origins in church settings

49 Concerns, apprehensions, obstacles 1. Existential concerns: Humans are just a speck. Humans are just an accident. 2. Concerns about values: Evolution erodes my core values. 3. Biblical concerns 4. Representation of science, evolution 5. Surveys reinforce the science-religion divide.

50 Challenges Posed by Human Evolution 1. Extinction of species 2. Common ancestry 3. Natural selection 4. Survival and adaptability

51 Opportunities Presented by Human Evolution for the religion-science conversation 1. Extinction of species 2. Common ancestry 3. Natural selection 4. Survival and adaptability 5. A shared sense of awe