Religious beliefs appeared quite late in evolutionary history. Why so recently? What benefits did they confer? We have ways of inferring their origins. Gordon Orians, an evolutionary biologist and student of human evolution, offers evidence that parental care, adoption of the intentional stance, shamanism, and cooking offer clues into the evolution of this uniquely human trait. Orians is Professor Emeritus of Biology, University of Washington. He has served as its Director of Environmental Studies. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1989 and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1990.
Video of Programs (search and sort)
Evolution of Religious Beliefs
09/17/2023
Gordan Orians
Working With the Houseless
09/10/2023
Terrance Moses
Presentation by Terrance Moses at Friendly House about his experience interacting with the houseless. He discusses ways that people in secure housing can best help those experiencing houselessness in Greater Portland. Mr. Moses lives in North Portland. His neighbors were complaining about people living on a nearby trail. He contacted them and learned that they needed help with garbage removal. Mr Moses then began removing bagged trash once a week. He later became a mediator between the housed and the unhoused and an advocate for the needs of the unhoused.
Political Parties: Pathology or Necessity?
09/03/2023
Jeff Seward
Many people see politics as the source of avoidable conflict, cynicism, and corruption. In this lecture, Jeff Seward explores the pathology of political parties along with the functions that they play in sustaining effective democratic governance. Jeff has a Ph.D from Stanford. He has had a career in public television as a political reporter, news anchor, and film producer. Before his retirement, he was a professor in the Department of Politics and Government at Pacific University. He has presented to us many times in the past.
Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site
08/20/2023
Michaela Coleman
Presentation by Michaela Coleman who shares a virtual tour of the Kam Wah Chung & Co. Museum. This is a state park and National Historic Landmark that preserves early Chinese culture in John Day. Michaela Coleman is a Seasonal Park Ranger at the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage site. A long time Eastern Oregon resident, she is passionate about the history of Grant County and actively works to have the history of all accurately presented.