Human beings often have generous views of themselves - not always easy to defend. Massive scientific advances are sometimes used for destructive purposes.

This lecture looks at our changing understanding of ourselves, focussing on Charles Darwin's theory of human origins and the religious, scientific and ethical questions raised. Does a tendency to violence reflect our evolutionary past? If so, what can be done about it? Does it help us understand what is going on? Or to work out what we can do about it?

Modern humanists have yet to come to terms with Darwin and the idea that humans are like other animals.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/if-humans-are-so-great-why-is-the-world-such-a-mess

Gresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website. There are currently over 2,000 lectures free to access or download from the website.

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