Human Evolution, Science and Religion from a Biological Anthropologist’s Point of View

Erin Waxenbaum, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Instruction of Anthropology at Northwestern University, will speak on the topic Human Evolution, Science and Religion from a Biological Anthropologist’s Point of View.  Are all scientists atheists?  Can those of devout faith appreciate scientific discoveries?  Is there a middle ground between science and religion?  Turns out, among both scientist and religious leader, there is often no substantive emotional, ethical struggle between tenants of biology or evolution and their religious, spiritual foundations.  All religions, communities and sects are not uniform monoliths; many diverse opinions and perspectives exist in all groups.  We will discuss some of the varied vantage points among different religions’ understandings of biological evolution and how they are reconciled within different religious perspectives and teachings.

Erin B. Waxenbaum is a biological anthropologist and board certified (ABFA) forensic anthropologist whose research focuses on human skeletal variation.  She acquired a B.A. and M.A. at Brandeis University and completed her Ph.D. at University of Florida.  In addition to her position at Northwestern, Waxenbaum serves as a Research Associate for the Field Museum of Natural History and as the Forensic Anthropologist for Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office and numerous Coroners’ Offices throughout Illinois.