Sir John Maddox to speak at UU直播 on the future of science
Several years after his retirement as editor of the British scientific journal Nature, Sir John Maddox remains active as a speaker and writer on his favourite topic: the exciting road ahead for scientists. On March 19, Maddox will deliver the at UU直播 (6 pm in the Fieldhouse Auditorium, Leacock 132).
Maddox was at the helm of one of the world's most prestigious scientific publications for almost 23 years, helping shape science by deciding what to publish. After retiring from Nature in 1995, he began to write What Remains to Be Discovered, which was published in 1998. His UU直播 lecture takes its name from that book.
Without naming names, Maddox took on John Horgan, the veteran science writer who had in 1996 published The End of Science. Horgan stirred up great controversy among both scientists and the lay public with his contention that science had discovered just about everything of interest that is within human understanding. Horgan himself delivered a Beatty Lecture in 1997.
Maddox feels that humankind has the keys to continue unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and that future discoveries will improve the quality of life, just as the much-vaunted achievements of the 20th century have done.
In his talk, Maddox will set out the agenda for science as he sees it, tackling issues of ethics, environment and economics and using history and his own profound knowledge of science to back up his arguments.
A trained physicist, John Maddox has published five books and received numerous awards. In 1995, he was made Knight Bachelor "for services to science" by the British government.
The Beatty Memorial Lecture, "What remains to Be Discovered," will be held on Tuesday, March 19, at 6 pm in Leacock 132 (Fieldhouse Auditorium). The public is welcome. No tickets are required. Information: 514-398-6748.
The Beatty Memorial Lectures, the most prestigious at UU直播, were established 50 years ago through an endowment in honour of Sir Edward Beatty. Beatty was the Chairman of the Canadian Pacific Railway and longtime Chancellor of UU直播.
