What is a Human? Public Views and the Impact on Human Rights

John Evans, professor of sociology and associate dean of social services at the University of California, San Diego, will speak at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 in Alumni Recitation Hall, Room 302. Evans is well-known in his field, having published two books that explain the origins of the American public bioethical debate.

Evans’ lecture, titled “What is a Human: Public Views and the Impact on Human Rights” is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

In his lecture, John Evans will discuss findings from his latest book, What is a Human? What the Answers Mean for Human Rights. It is the first study of the impact of how people define a human and in it, he offers a controversial finding that those who believe in biological and philosophical definitions of a human are less likely to be supportive of human rights.

A professor of sociology at the University of California, San Diego, Evans also is the author of two books in the emerging field of bioethics: Playing God? Human Genetic Engineering and the Rationalization of Public Bioethical Debate and The History and Future of Bioethics: A Sociological View. He has written more than 45 articles and book chapters on topics in culture, politics, religion, and science.

Evans earned his bachelor’s from Macalester College and his Ph.D. from Princeton University. Throughout his career, he has held numerous positions, including a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale. He also served as a visiting member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ, and he has held a visiting professorial fellowships at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and the University of Muenster in Germany.

Sponsoring this lecture are Grinnell’s Center for Humanities; Institute for Global Engagement; Peace and Conflict Studies Program; Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations, and Human Rights; and sociology department. Kathleen Oberlin, assistant professor of sociology at Grinnell College, organized the lecture.

Grinnell College welcomes the participation of people with disabilities. Accommodation requests may be made to Conference Operations, 641-269-3235.