The Woodrow Wilson School will host The Class of 1943 Reunion Faculty Panel discussion titled, “Building a Framework of Factual Human Knowledge in a Faith-based Society” at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 30, in Bowl 016, Robertson Hall, on the Princeton University campus.

Science and religion each claim dominion over much of society and human knowledge. Attempts to resolve differences may at times seem to exacerbate the problem. Religion, no longer monastic, has become mixed with culture, race, nationalism, military and other interests. Voting and behavior are often along religious lines. Citizens may face competing ideas of creationism versus evolution in public life, conflicts of religious and civil laws, faith-based government programs, restrictions in religious demonstration, teaching in schools, and in beneficial forms of research. In addition, there is no agreement as to whether strong religious belief can coexist with reliance on science, or whether science has effectively demonstrated that religious beliefs have no place in the rational mind.

The event, organized by John Brinster, Vice President of the class of ’43, will examine these and other issues that encompass science and religion.  Panel participants will present some of the latest relevant scientific findings, and offer opinions on pre-submitted written questions addressed through the moderator.

Panel discussants will include Princeton’s Freeman Dyson, Professor Emeritus at the Institute for Advanced Study; Michael Berry, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Co-Director of the Program in Neuroscience; Susan Fiske, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Institutional Review Panel for Human Subjects; Alan Mann, a Professor of Anthropology; and Neil deGrasse Tyson, the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium.  Lee Silver, a Professor of Molecular Biology and Public Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School, will moderate the event.

Questions for the moderator may be emailed to John Brinster at  jfbrain@aol.com.  This event is free and open to the public.