Pulitzer Prize-winning author and controversial theorist Edward Q. Wilson presented a lecture on “”The Coming Synergism Between Science and Humanities”” to a jam-packed Mandeville Auditorium Wednesday evening.
Mandeville auditorium, which normally seats 785 people, was completely filled for Wilson’s lecture on his theories of consilience, and many onlookers were left standing in the aisles. The event attracted UCSD students, faculty and members from the community. The enormous attendance shocked even the sponsor of the event, Associate Dean of the Arts and Humanities and Director of the Center for the Humanities Georgios Anagnostopoulos.
“”I was pleasantly surprised,”” Anagnostopoulos said. “”I’ve never seen Mandeville as full as it was that evening.””
The event, titled “”An evening with Edward O. Wilson,”” was presented by the UCSD Center for the Humanities.
“”The enormous attendance indicates the drawing power of Wilson as a figure of American science and the extensive interest of the community on the issues he presented,”” Anagnostopoulos said.
Wilson first received widespread recognition in 1975 with his book “”Sociobiology: The New Synthesis.”” In it, he coined the term “”sociobiology,”” which looks at the biological basis in the social actions of humans and animals.
Wilson mostly spoke about his views on the connections between the humanities and the sciences, outlined in his new book, “”Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge.””
Wilson’s speech received high praise from those in attendance. Many people commended him for making and pushing a connection between the arts and humanities and the sciences, a view that was once considered absurd.
Wilson stressed, “”The greatest enterprise of the mind has always been and always will be the attempted linkage of the sciences and the humanities.””
This view was well-received by the majority of students in attendance.
“”I believe that putting forth a view like consilience is good for the exploration of further and future ideas,”” said Revelle senior Ryan Gallagher. “”It’s nice to hear a scientist bridging the gap between the sciences and the humanities.””
Wilson’s lecture drew students majoring in disciplines ranging from philosophy to cognitive science to psychology. Some of the students were familiar with Wilson’s ideas and came because of recommendations from their professors.
“”I came because I look for opportunities to broaden my horizons,”” said first-year graduate student Sean O’Rourke. “”Wilson’s views tonight were worth my time.””
Other students who were not familiar with Wilson’s theories became intrigued by his words Wednesday evening.
“”As someone who is not familiar with his views,”” said Marshall senior Serra Sabuncuoglu, “”tonight’s lecture made me want to know more.””
Wilson’s speech marks the inaugural public event for the UCSD Center for the Humanities Dialogue Series, which will have lectures on the humanities and the sciences in the months of April and May.
“”The center has a strong focus in exploring the relationship between the humanities and arts and the other disciplines,”” Anagnostopoulos said. “”Wilson is an outstanding scientist who addressed this relationship perfectly.””