2015 Opening Talk - Science and the Rise of Atheism

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Science and the Rise of Atheism - Russell Blackford

Sydney Atheists begin our 2015 Talks with another outstanding speaker in Russell Blackford.

Russell is a writer, philosopher and literary critic. He is Conjoint Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science at the University of Newcastle (http://www.newcastle.edu.au/), a Fellow of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (http://www.ieet.org/), editor-in-chief of The Journal of Evolution and Technology (http://jetpress.org/), a regular op.ed. columnist with Free Inquiry (http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=fi&page=index), and a Laureate of the International Academy of Humanism.

Russell is a prolific writer who has authored and co-authored various books including:

50 Voices of Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists (http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1405190469.html), Freedom of Religion and the Secular State (http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Religion-Secular-Blackwell-Philosophy/dp/0470674032/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1), Intelligence Unbound: The Future of Uploaded and Machine Minds (http://www.amazon.com/Intelligence-Unbound-Future-Uploaded-Machine-ebook/dp/B00KS49HXY/ref=la_B001HPG31C_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411095054&sr=1-1), Humanity Enhanced: Genetic Choice and the Challenge for Liberal Democracies (https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/humanity-enhanced) and of course 50 Great Myths About Atheism (http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470674059,descCd-reviews.html).

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Russell Blackford at Bertrand Russell's Bloomsbury flat late 2013. Photo by Jenny Blackford.

The evening will be split into two segments. In the first segment from 7.00pm until 7.45, Russell will discuss Science and the Rise of Atheism. After a 15 minute break Russell will give a generous 45 minute Q and A. If you would like priority for your questions, please submit them to Steve at moralmovement@gmail.com .

This entry fee will be $5.00 for members of Sydney Atheists. Non-member entry will be $10.00. Of course it is easy to become a Sydney Atheists Meetup member, just join on our website. We are not for profit and 100% of funds go to operating the group, Atheist education and causes. Also, the hotel is doing us a very good deal for the space and providing very affordable food and drink.

Please note that the dinner and talks will both be at the one venue, Second Floor Strattons Hotel, 249 Castlereagh Street Sydney.

Dinner will be available from 6.00pm whilst the talks usually begin at 7.00pm.

You will be able to eat before or during the talks. We will also have a 15 minute intermission. This venue affords us much in the way of social possibilities as well as the talks. Please note that catering will not be available after 8.30pm. Meals are available from $10.00.

Location: 2nd Floor, 249 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW (http://strattonshotel.com.au/Contact)
The nearest station is Museum, whilst Town Hall Station is a 5 to 10 minute walk. Cheap parking is available at 730 George Street, $9 flat rate 6 mins from the meetup hotel. If you come in the door to the furthest right of the Pub on Castlereagh Street, then up the stairs to the right, and all the way to the top, there is a large room to the left.

Once a month the Meetup meets for a topical discussion with a special guest. Special guests in the past have been members of the meetup, or experts from outside, speaking on topics of their expertise. If you wish to speak, or know somebody who would like to speak to us, please contact Steve 0450 123 211.

We also attempt to record our talks and put them up on our youtube channel (http://youtube.com/sydneyatheists) pending time for editing and final speakers' approval.