The Center for Science Writings
About the CSW
Launched in 2005, the Center for Science Writings (CSW) hosts talks by authors of books on pressing science-related issues, from climate change to mental illness. Speakers—be they scientists, humanities scholars or journalists—deliver free, public lectures each and every semester.
The CSW is part of the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
The founder and director of the CSW is veteran science journalist John Horgan, author of the bestseller “The End of Science” and other books. A long-time writer for Scientific American, he also comments on science-related issues on his website
Upcoming Talks
The CSW has scheduled three talks for Fall 2023:
Wednesday, October 4, 3-4 p.m. EST (Via Zoom)
"CHATGPT and the End of AI."
Computer scientist Erik Larson, author of "The Myth of Artificial Intelligence: Why Computers Can’t Think the Way We Do," will provide a much-needed critical look at dramatic recent advances in AI.Wednesday, Nov. 1, 4-5 p.m. EST (Via Zoom)
"Do We Have Free Will?"
Stanford neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky, author of many acclaimed books on biology and behavior, will discuss his controversial new book "Determined: A Life of Science Without Free Will" with Center for Science Writings director John Horgan.Wednesday, November 15, 1-2 p.m. EST (Via Zoom)
"Sexual Politics after MeToo."
Oxford philosopher Amia Srinivasan, author of the widely debated book "The Right to Sex: Feminism in the 21st Century," will unravel the knottiest sex-related dilemmas of our age.
Faculty Interviews
John Horgan also carries out Zoom interviews with HASS colleagues to learn more about their research and publications.
Recent interviews featured science historian Samantha Muka, author of “Oceans Under Glass”; philosopher Gregory Morgan, author of “Cancer Virus Hunters”; and philosopher Michael Steinmann, author of “Reframing Ethics Through Dialectics.”
Past Speakers
Past speakers at the Center for Science writings include world-renowned intellectuals: neurologist Oliver Sacks; psychologist Steven Pinker; historian Naomi Oreskes; philosophers Martha Nussbaum and Kwame Anthony Appiah; geographer Jared Diamond; biologist Edward O. Wilson; oceanographer Sylvia Earle; economist Jeffrey Sachs; risk analyst Nassim Nicholas Taleb; physicist Sabine Hossenfelder; and social activist Naomi Klein.
Note to Students
A note to Stevens freshmen taking introductory engineering courses: be sure to talk to your professors about the Center for Science Writings, as many grant credit for attending select events.
Contact
For more information about the Center for Science Writings, contact John Horgan at [email protected].