A favourite debate from 2016: We think science is based on facts and evidence. But from gravity to dark matter, string theory to parallel universes, its theories are curiously bereft of hard evidence. Is evidence less important than we think and conjecture alone capable of leading to greater understanding? Or has science dangerously drifted into fantasy?

Rupert Sheldrake: Biologist whose research into parapsychology and evolution led to the theory of morphic resonance, expounded in A New Science of Life.

Tara Shears: Particle physicist and the first female physics professor at Liverpool. "Rapidly becoming the goto scientist to explain all things CERN" (Wired).

Massimo Pigliucci: Professor of Philosophy at CUNY and founder of Rationally Speaking, Massimo Pigliucci's most recent book is Answers for Aristotle.

Theme 1: What is evidence?
Theme 2: Has contemporary science drifted into conjecture?
Theme 3: Can we have a science without evidence?

#science #rupertsheldrake #iai #darkmatter #stringtheory #evidence

The IAI offers a host of different platforms where you can watch and debate the big issues that matter:

For debates and talks: https://iai.tv
For articles: https://iai.tv/articles
For courses: https://iai.tv/iaiacademy/courses

We also have extensive discussions on our Facebook and Twitter pages:   / theinstituteofartandideas  
  / iai_tv  
  / philosophyforourtimes  

Subscribe for more videos and debates!