Commemorating Darwin

LRC 21, Beirut campus

November 24 will mark exactly 150 years of the publication of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species, a book that revolutionized our understanding of species, including the one to which we belong, Homo sapiens.

In commemoration of this date, a panel discussion is being organized to look into the significance of Darwin’s evolution theory and its social, religious and philosophical implications. Is the theory in conflict with basic religious beliefs about Creation and the privileged position of Man? Did Darwin’s use of the survival of the fittest theory lead to Social Darwinism? What are your views?

Program:

2:00–2:15 p.m.
Introduction: "Celebrating Darwin’s The Origin of Species"
Dr. Ramez Maluf
LAU Associate Professor of Communication (Beirut)

2:15–2:45 p.m.
“The Relevance of Evolutionary Biology to Your Life”
Dr. Kamal F. Badr
Founding Dean
LAU School of Medicine

2:45–2:55 p.m.
Documentary
Moderator: Mr. Mahmoud Natout
Instructor, Humanities

3:00–3:25 p.m.
“Faith and Evolutionary Biology: Are They at Odds?”
Dr. Habib Malik
LAU Associate Professor of History (Byblos)

3:30–3:55 p.m.
“Syrian Street Dogs, Milk Teeth, American Missionaries and Levantine Media: Darwin and His Theory in 19th Century Beirut”
Mr. Mohammad Al Zein
Instructor, Natural Sciences

4:00–4:45 p.m.
General Discussion