The Evolution of "Why?" by Daniel C. Dennett.
Daniel C. Dennett is an influential philosopher of science. He is a Professor at Tufts University, USA, where he is also the co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies.
Dennett has authored several bestselling books, including "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" and "Freedom Evolves". His most recent book is "Breaking the Spell, Religion as a Natural Phenomenon".
Abstract
We human beings are the only living things that can represent, transmit and criticize reasons for doing things and making things. This creates a perspective for us that we can then use to interpret all the rest of the life on the planet, cautiously. Mother Nature's reasons are not just like our reasons. It is our evolved capacity to ask, and answer, Why-questions that gives us, in the end, the kinds of free will worth wanting, the kinds that no other animal has.
Daniel C. Dennett (homepage)
This is a joint event with the Department of biology at the University of Bergen.