The Program’s purpose is the expansion of the common sense on “human nature”. It presents the most recent pertinent scientific theories and aims to showcase how the better understanding of our nature influences not only our survival on Earth, but also our species’ own evolution and its place in the universe.

This year’s Program is driven by the necessity of the “communication of science” and the promotion of contemporary scientific issues to wider audiences.



Introduction

The catalytic impact humans have on our environment underlines our impressive qualitative difference from any of the ten million other species. All species are adapted to specific ecological niches. Humans, however, have been able to live in almost any environment on earth, by adapting to it, by altering the reality around them. Actually, humans are the only species who can even intervene to its own biological evolution. What kind of nature is this that defies its own self? What is it that makes us human?

Our scientific understanding of the universe has seen in this last century a rapid, fascinating progress. Yet, despite our expanding knowledge about how the universe started, about how it is built, we are still far from a complete unitary theory; from a “Theory of Everything”, where human’s place in it is included and explained.

Science steadily advances its knowledge and expands its analysis of the human nature. The study of the human genome sequencing uncovers our building blocks. Neuroscience focuses on the structure and the function of the brain. All genetic studies underline our similarities with the other species. The essence, however, of the human nature remains unexplained.

In this year’s meetings we will examine the important human features that compose our unique nature.



Schedule

Event 1. January 20, 2005

Human tendency to the metaphysic and the transcendental

Event 2. February 10, 2005

Language: the most important and defining characteristic of the human species

Event 3. February 24, 2005

Babel: curse or bless?

Event 4. March 17, 2005

Ideas: towards more order, more structure, and wholeness

Event 5. March 31, 2005

Homo Scientificus: why do we believe we can comprehend nature?

Event 6. April 14, 2005

Consciousness: the mind’s I

Event 7. May 12, 2005

Doubting reality: how “real” is our reality?

Event 8. June 2, 2005

Self-destruction: if the end is coming, at least, let’s be prepared!

The Events took place at the Hellenic National Research Foundation (HNRF) "Leonidas Zervas" Auditorium, Athens, Greece. Admission was free.