In this second dialogue, Denis Noble, author of Dance to the Tune of LIfe, discusses whether there can be purpose and direction in evolution. 

Thin End discusses with Professor Denis Noble his new book Dance to the Tune of Life and new ideas on evolution. 

Thin End discusses with Professor Denis Noble his new book Dance to the Tune of Life and new ideas on evolution. 

Trump says he wants to cancel the 2015 Paris agreement combatting climate change. It is an agreement signed by almost 200 nations. Is this Trump’s folly? Or do we need a new global politics?

Trump says he wants to cancel the 2015 Paris agreement combatting climate change. It is an agreement signed by almost 200 nations. Is this Trump’s folly? Or do we need a new global politics?

There is a revolution of thought taking place in our understanding of evolution. It is moving us away from a gene-centred 'determinist' view of our lives, and replacing it with an 'open system view' where many factors influence evolution, including culture and environment in a dynamic interaction with organisms.

Good science comes from understanding its limitations, bad science from ignoring them.  Scientists do not work in a bubble free from cultural, social, ethical or political influences.  So does science need philosophy?

Modern neoliberalism tends to emphasise the individual as an autonomous being.  Society is seen as an aggregate of our individual, self-motivated, self interested behaviour. But this is a profoundly mistaken view of our social being.