Patten Lecture: Naomi Oreskes
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“Crying Wolf v. Fiddling While Rome Burns: Historical Perspectives on Scientists' Social Responsibility.”
Naomi Oreskes, professor of the history of science and affiliated professor of earth and planetary sciences at Harvard University, is a world-renowned historian of science. She is known for her research on the formation of scientific consensus and the impact of dissent on developing scientific concepts.
In “Crying Wolf v. Fiddling While Rome Burns,” Oreskes will explore why environmental and climate change scientists are often more afraid of raising concerns than remaining silent. While exploring the origins and development of reticent scientists, she will argue that understating a threat might be worse than overstating it.
The William T. Patten Foundation
The William T. Patten Foundation provides funds to bring distinguished scholars or practitioners in the sciences, the humanities and the arts to the Bloomington campus for a week. The foundation has brought over 150 scholars of extraordinary national and international distinction since 1937, making it the oldest lecture series at Indiana University. Lecturers are chosen by a campus-wide faculty committee.
William T. Patten graduated in 1893 with a B.A. degree in history from IU. He then moved to Indianapolis and led a successful career in real estate and politics. He created an endowment for the university in 1931, with the purpose of bringing renowned leaders to the Bloomington campus.