Evolutionary Biology in Latin America: Perspectives on Science, Religion, and Society
Dr. Enrique Lessa
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 07:00 pm - 08:15 pm
Castetter Hall 100
219 Yale Blvd NE
About:
Join the LAII, the UNM Department of Biology, and the Guadalupe Institute for a discussion about evolutionary biology in Latin America.
Evolutionary biology has been at the center of conflicts between science and religion for the last two centuries. In Latin America, the relationship between science in general–and evolution in particular–and religion varies dramatically as a function of the history and profiles of the countries in the region. Post-truth radicalism globally is pushing anti-science sentiment to new extremes, and urgent, defensive and offensive action is needed. There is also a need for clarity in the development of a “new realism” as the foundation of a social contract for our times. An analysis of conflict and conflict resolution between evolution and religion provides clues to errors, misconceptions and paths toward the future.
Enrique Lessa (Ph.D., NMSU, 1987) is Professor of Evolution at the Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, in Montevideo, Uruguay. His research focuses on the genetic footprints of the processes of diversification of small mammals in South America across time and space; his outreach activities are centered on the significance of evolution in education and society. Dr. Lessa is a former Guggenheim Fellow, past President of the American Society of Mammalogists, member of the Academia Nacional de Ciencias del Uruguay and corresponding member of the Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (Argentina).
Notes:
This event is free and open to the public.
