Can we explain all our behaviour and thought in terms of the biology and chemistry of the brain? What are free will and consciousness? Are we responsible for our actions and does this leave any room for God?
Bill Newsome, Professor of Neurobiology at Stanford University, California, is a Christian who is well qualified to address these questions. He has a BSc in Physics and PhD in Biology and runs a research group looking at cognitive neuroscience and the neural mechanisms underlying visual perception. He investigates how we acquire sensory information about the world, how that information is processed and how behavioural responses to that information are organised. He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences.
Professor Newsome has written and lectured widely on the neuroscience of the brain, the relationship between brain activity and behaviour, responsibility and freedom of choice and much more, as well as the relationship between science and faith.
See http://biox.stanford.edu/clark/newsome.html for more about Professor Newsome and http://monkeybiz.stanford.edu/ for more about the work of his group.
The lecture will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 17 May in Lecture Theatre A, Building 46 (Physics A). There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion, and books will be available for purchase at discount prices.
This lecture is organised by Christians in Science, Central South local group but is open to all. Entry to all CiS Central South group meetings is free of charge, although voluntary donations are gratefully accepted.
See http://www.cis.org.uk/groups/central-south/ for further information.