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Darwin Lecture

12 February 2010
Professor Mary Beard, 'Risk and the Humanities'

 

Friday 12 February 2010, 17:30-18:30

LMH, Lady Mitchell Hall

For more information click here.

Abstract

Was there risk before modernity? This lecture explores how we might tell the ancient history of risk—from oracles (an ancient form of risk assessment) through gambling and agricultural strategies to the parade of Luck and Chance in sculptural form. In Greece and Rome (and other pre modern societies) is it misleading to think in terms of risk? Is it more helpful to ask simply, “What did people worry about?”—a question to which we find some surprising answers. At the same time, there is another agenda underlying this lecture: an exploration of the risks facing research and teaching in the Humanities. What do academics need to be worried about today and for the future?

The lecture will include the first consultation of the Oracles of Astrampsychus for many centuries.

 


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