"The Humanism of Doctor Who"
Details
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/6/6/0/event_229482592.jpegHFSD is pleased to sponsor a special book club event in July. Please join us for a fascinating lecture entitled "The Humanism of Doctor Who: A Critical Study in Science Fiction and Philosophy" (http://www.amazon.com/The-Humanism-Doctor-Who-Philosophy/dp/0786466731/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367339698&sr=8-1&keywords=humanism+of+dr+who) by Professor David Layton, based on his book of the same name.
From 1963 to 1989, the BBC television program Doctor Who followed a time-traveling human-like alien called "The Doctor" as he sought to help people, save civilizations and right wrongs. Since its 2005 revival, Doctor Who has become a pop culture phenomenon surpassing its "classic" period popularity and reaching a larger, more diverse audience. Though created as a family program, the series has dramatized serious themes in philosophy, science, religion, and politics. Doctor Who's thoughtful presentation of a secular humanist view of the universe stands in stark contrast to the flashy special effects central to most science fiction on television. This examination of Doctor Who from the perspective of philosophical humanism assesses the show's careful exploration of such topics as justice, ethics, good and evil, mythology and knowledge.
Professor David Layton, author of "The Humanism of Doctor Who", has asked us to watch two particular Doctor Who episodes prior to attending his lecture: 1) "The God Complex" and 2) "The Rings of Akhaten" as his talk for this group will focus on those two episodes. Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v_wiiCuLRsY1U
About Professor David Layton
http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/9/1/c/event_229483292.jpegDavid Layton was born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1964. Because his father was in the Air Force, he moved to a few places before settling in Redlands, California, in 1972. He graduated from Redlands High School, received a B.A. in English from UC Riverside, and a Masters and Ph.D. in English from UC Santa Barbara. He is currently Assistant Professor in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at DeVry University, working mostly from the Pomona campus in Southern California. Prior to teaching at DeVry University, he taught at multiple institutions both onsite and online, including South University, University of Phoenix, American InterContinental University, Santa Monica College, Glendale Community College, Long Beach City College, Citrus College, Pierce College (Washington), South Puget Sound Community College, and Olympic College. Along the way, there were some academic publications, reviews of books, films, and music, a handful of short stories, and some presentations, conferences, and committees. He continues writing on philosophy, science fiction, Doctor Who, progressive rock, critical thinking in education, and debunking postmodernism.
[from Amazon.com]
Optional Luncheon
Please join us for an optional lunch at Pho Ca Dao & Grill (http://www.yelp.com/map/pho-ca-dao-and-grill-san-diego-2), an excellent yet inexpensive Vietnamese restaurant located at 11808 Rancho Bernardo Rd. It's in the shopping center just north of Rancho Bernardo Road between the 15 freeway and Bernardo Center Drive.
"The Humanism of Doctor Who"