Brains, Bats, Star Trek & Psychopaths: The Neuropsychology of Morality

[SHSPublicity 10]

Brains, Bats, Star Trek and Psychopaths: The Neuropsychology of Morality - Glen Carrigan

 

Tuesday 2nd June 2015

20.00 – 21.30

Farm Road Sports and Social Club, S2 2TP

 

This is an introduction to a morality where God is not at its centre. Using the 4 S’s of science, skepticism, sarcasm and satire whilst employing neuropsychological research and a humanistic world view, we’ll look at what the alternatives are to a pious moral code, and why people and groups might make the decisions they do. We will seek to highlight that the debate about morality should not be conducted in a vacuum, but should take place in the real world and focus on understanding how our actions affect our fellow creatures, rather than desperately trying to cling to ancient ‘axiomatic’ standards and justify them with archaic and inadequate scriptural tenets.

 

Glen Carrigan is a Senior Research Assistant in Clinical Practice at The University of Central Lancashire, currently researching Stroke, Health Inequalities, and providing training opportunities in research for clinicians. He is also a Neuropsychology Postgraduate Researcher where he specialises in moral psychology, public engagement, and has an interest in all things skeptical and political. Coming from a military background, Glen’s interest in psychology and morality was piqued when living and working in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and many other nations after experiencing myriad world views, different group behaviours, and the strife that often results when they clash – especially where religion is concerned. It is therefore his passionate aim to usher in a more enlightened form of thinking where equality as a species and compassion, help to uplift us in place of tribalism, religious moral absolutism, and the wanton disregard for the scientific facts that humans have so far revealed in this a beautiful and rich universe.

 

Glen was recently nominated for the John Maddox prize in Science Engagement, and has aided in the development of a new Brain Imaging Lab (Electroencephalogram) at UCLan. He has also contributed to Humanist Life, and is a current Journalist at AtheistRepublic.com, as well as hosting his own blog. His other activities include: Creating, hosting, and presenting over 20 unique academic, and public engagement events, documentaries and talks, and the founding of two skeptical groups in the North West (Project Science and Reason, and UCLan Atheist, Humanist, and Secularist Society), and one cultural exchange group (UCLan Japanese Society).

 

In addition, Glen has taken part in political and social activism, and charity work with the BHA, AHS and other groups on campaigns such as: Sense about Science, Ask for Evidence, UK Law Society and Sharia guidance, Ugandan Humanist Trust, Reform Section 5, equal marriage, no to gender segregation, and most recently saying farewell to Sir Terry Pratchett by honouring his patronage to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/338564983021246/

 

All are welcome, the beer is cheap, and there is on-site parking. The event is free, but we do call for a suggested donation of £3 to cover expenses for the meeting.

 

It starts at 8, but pease feel free to turn up early. We are in the large room at the end of the bar area.

 

We look forward to seeing you all there.

[redwhine 10]

Sounds good.