In this thrilling talk, Sahtouris portrays traditional biology as a science out of step with its time. While modern physics and astronomy underwent a radical reshaping after Einstein introduced his theory of relativity almost 100 years ago, biology and the earth sciences still rest on the antiquated foundations of Newtonian physics and strict Darwinian evolution. Sahtouris introduces us to a new biology, one that incorporates all the upgrades of twentieth century science in a bold reconception of life's vital processes.
Sahtouris refutes Darwin's observation that scarcity of resources drives the evolution of species and offers an alternative to Richard Dawkins' theory of a "selfish gene." In her original conception, called dynamic harmony, conflict and competition for survival are seen as merely one stage in the continuing development of cells, species, eco-systems and galaxies as they move inexorably toward more complex forms of cooperation and harmony.
BIO
Dr. Elisabet Sahtouris is an evolution biologist, futurist, author, and consultant to organizations. In her unique approach, called "Living Systems Design," she applies the principles of biology and evolution to organizational development so that organizations may become more functional, healthy "living systems," with increased resilience, stability, and cooperation. She is one of a select group of scientists rethinking the classic, mechanistic view of the universe. Her particular goal is to create sustainable health and well-being for humanity within the larger living systems of Earth.
Her books include EarthDance: Living Systems in Evolution (iUniverse, 2000), A Walk Through Time: From Stardust to Us (John Wiley & Sons, 1998), and Biology Revisioned, co-authored with Willis Harman (North Atlantic Books, 1998). She has been invited to China by the Chinese National Science Association, organized Earth Celebration 2000 in Athens, Greece, and has been a United Nations consultant on indigenous peoples. She was a participant in the Humanity 3000 dialogues of the Foundation for the Future and in the Synthesis Dialogues with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. She consults with corporations and government organizations in Australia, Brazil, and the USA.
Dr. Sahtouris completed her postdoctoral work at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and taught at the University of Massachusetts and M.I.T. She was a science writer for the Horizon/Nova television series. She currently resides in California.
