Description

“Is Intelligent Design a Valid Alternative to Evolution?” is the topic of the second annual faculty debate hosted by the Palm Beach Atlantic University Socratic Club set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in Gregory Hall, 1314 South Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach, Room 116. The public is invited to attend the debate between University professors Dr. Paul Copan, professor of philosophy and ethics, and Dr. Thomas Chesnes, associate professor of biology. The PBA Socratic Club is a fraternal organization for select students in the Frederick M. Supper Honors Program. The club includes academic, social and service-oriented components, all of which serve to explore and enlarge the students’ perspectives regarding their local and global communities. Originally begun by C. S. Lewis during his years at Oxford University, the Socratic Club intends to delve into questions pertaining, but not restricted, to those issues widely contested within the Christian domain. On a larger scale, however, the students in the club are encouraged to broaden their world views and apply their insights to foster a heightened sense of community, which should be, and often is, the mainstay of Christianity. Dr. Copan holds the Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at PBA. He is the author of "True for You, But Not for Me" (Bethany House), "That's Just Your Interpretation" and "How Do You Know You're Not Wrong?" (Baker), as well as co-author (with William Craig) of "Creation Out of Nothing: A Biblical, Philosophical, and Scientific Exploration." He has co-edited three books on the historical Jesus and co-edited (with Paul K. Moser) a textbook on the philosophy of religion, and "The Rationality of Theism" (Routledge). He is author of the forthcoming book "Loving Wisdom: Christian Philosophy of Religion" (Chalice) and co-editor of three forthcoming books: "The Apologetics Study Bible" (Broadman and Holman), "The Routledge Companion to the Philosophy of Religion" (Routledge) and "Philosophy of Religion: Classic and Contemporary Issues" (Blackwell). He holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia International University, master’s degrees in arts and divinity from Trinity International University, and a doctorate from Marquette University. Dr. Chesnes received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, majoring in zoology. His graduate studies were completed at the University of Florida's Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, specializing in systems ecology. He is a member of the Estuarine Research Federation, the Southeastern Estuarine Research Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has performed research in estuaries and salt marshes throughout Florida, studying vertebrate, invertebrate and plant species. His research interests include ecosystem modeling, interactions between natural, societal and economic systems, ecosystem responses to pulsed events, the use of sessile organisms as bioindicators of ecosystem health, processes within estuarine systems and sustainable practices in academic institutions. He has given numerous presentations on his research and is co-author of the University of Florida's "Sustainability Indicators Report." For additional information on the Socratic Club debate, contact Dr. Samuel Joeckel, the club’s faculty sponsor, at samuel_joeckel@pba.edu, or Jennifer Yirinec, the club’s student president, at jennifer_yirinec@pba.edu. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, independent university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees, with campuses in West Palm Beach, Orlando and Wellington. The University is dedicated to the integration of Christian principles to prepare students for lifelong learning, leadership and service. For additional information, visit our Web site: http://www.pba.edu.