Conway Hall: Where Ethics Matter

Celebrated theoretical physicist Sir Prof Roger Penrose speaks with Ideas Roadshow host Howard Burton on the current and future state of theoretical physics in keeping with his latest book, Fashion, Faith and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe.

In this lovingly illustrated evening, social and architectural historian and lover of postwar modernism John Grindrod (author of Concretopia) talks us through the dreams and the reality portrayed in the books over the decades. Social and cultural historian Helen Day documents the changing attitudes to gender race and class and Tim Dunn, transport historian, enthusiast and model village expert will discuss the social and design history revealed in the books From People At Work and Our Land In the Making and How It Works…to the changing reality around Peter and Jane.

https://conwayhall.org.uk/event/ladybird-books/

In an era of hardening religious attitudes and explosive religious violence, Richard Holloway and Andrew Copson talk about the trials and tribulations of religion and belief, and what it means to be a humanist in the 21st century.

Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, is an internationally popular writer and broadcaster. His more than 20 books include the best-selling Leaving Alexandria: A Memoir of Faith and Doubt. He lives in Edinburgh. His latest book is A Little History of Religion.

Andrew Copson is Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association and President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, the global umbrella body for atheist, humanist, skeptic and secularist organisations.

An expert panel (Dr Simon Usherwood, University of Surrey, Dr Joseph Lacey, University of Oxford, Norman Bacrac, Trustee), talk about the future of the UK after the EU Referendum. Chaired by Professor Evan Parker.

Recorded on Sunday 24th July 2016.

Dr Hugh Atkinson (Senior Lecturer in Political Science), Clive Menzies (Political economist, editor and communicator at Critical Thinking at the Free University) and Laurie MacFarlane (Economy and Finance team of the New Economic Foundation) discuss what new economics might be and how it differs to the conventional view of economics that has dominated our public life.

Organised by GlobalNet21 in partnership with Conway Hall Ethical Society and chaired by Francis Sealey.

Prof Philip C. Almond examines the history of ideas surrounding life after death.

Chaired by Scott Wood.

Organised by the London Fortean Society in association with Conway Hall Ethical Society.

*Warning - Contains strong language*

Prof Marc Lewis and Johann Hari present the fascinating stories of addiction and the war on drugs, along with neuroscientific explanations to explain why, despite what we are so often told, addiction is not a disease.

Recorded at Conway Hall 13th July 2016.

Recorded at Conway Hall on Monday 11th July.

Universal Basic Income (UBI), an unconditional, non-withdrawable income paid to every citizen, has caught the attention of the world’s policymakers. Trials are planned in the Netherlands, Finland and Canada, and Switzerland will stage a referendum on UBI in June. Support for the idea spans the political spectrum: both the left-of-centre Royal Society of Arts and the rightwing Adam Smith Institute have released papers endorsing the idea. So what exactly is the appeal of giving out free money to everyone with no strings attached?

Rev Dr Malcolm Torry of the Citizens Income Trust, Dr Kitty Stewart from London School of Economics, and Michael Story from the Adam Smith Institute to debate whether we should all be on benefits.

A special event on the future of the United Kingdom. Held at Conway Hall on Weds 6th July 2016.

Featuring:

Matthew Goodwin – Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Kent. Author of Ukip: Inside the Campaign to Redraw British Politics, Revolt on the Right: Explaining Support for the Radical Right in Britain and New British Fascism: Rise of the British National Party.

James O’Malley – Journalist: petitioning the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, for London’s Independence and to give London a chance of remaining in the EU as a city state. The petition has garnered over 175,000 signatories in 5 days. He holds degrees in International Relations and Globalisation.

Shannon Harmon – co-founder of the Stop £35K campaign – a pay threshold imposed by the government on skilled migrant workers from outside the EU.

Anthony (A. C.) Grayling – Professor of Philosophy at the New College of the Humanities, London.

Takis Tridimas – Professor of European Law at Kings’ College London.

Chaired by Guy Foster – City of London Political and Financial commentator.

John Dee’s central lie about his life is still uncritically accepted: that under Queen Mary, like other Protestants, he had been persecuted. This talk will outline the true story, which shows how Dee’s angelic magic affected not only his own life but those of the most prominent Elizabethans who shared much of his ‘occult philosophy’.

Professor Glyn Parry is the author of ‘The Arch-Conjuror of England: John Dee’ (Yale University Press, 2011).

Recorded at Conway Hall.