Science & Math   

In this course we will cover what appears in our night sky including planets, the Milky Way, and constellations of the winter/spring, and what lies within those constellations. This will include star clusters, nebula, and neighboring galaxies. I will also cover optical equipment for use in observing the night sky, including binoculars, small telescopes, and larger telescopes. Also included is an evening observing session (weather permitting) to observe the material covered.

The sequence of life forms, dating back billions of years, is a fascinating topic. Admitting the importance of single-celled life and plants, we will concentrate on the history of Animals on Earth. That should be able to occupy our attention for a few hours.

There have been 29 extinction events throughout Earth's 4.5 billion-year history. Join us to discuss the causes and effects that challenged the success of life forms on our planet, and the opportunities those events have created for evolution and biodiversity.

Yuval Noah Harari (1976-) is an astute, and provocative, observer of Homo sapiens, the species' history, present situations, and potential future. We will consider his three major books, along with his writings and lectures. His visions of a “Cognitive Revolution”, the impact of biotechnology, and his debt to Vipassana meditation will be among our topics of discussion.

We will examine a wide variety of philosophical concepts: the scientific method and anti-science; Kuhn’s paradigm shifts; the 7 major theories of truth; skeptical theories of truth from Nietzsche, Popper and Rorty; early truth seekers like the Egyptian Maat and Greek Gnostics; objective v. subjective reality; problems with empiricism; the limits of logic of Russell and others; sensual illusions; availability heuristics; brain theater; virtual reality; the pain of new ideas; disruptive change.

The study of ancient life has helped us understand the organic side of Earth’s rich past. The methods, classic and high-tech, and findings, small and large, of paleontology will be the focus of our Workshop.