Nonsense on Stilts about Science: Field Adventures of A Scientist–Philosopher

Massimo Pigliucci

Friday, 01 Jun 2012 at 5:10 pm – 101 Carver Hall

An intrepid debater, blogger and podcaster as well as a professor of philosophy at the City University of New York, Massimo Pigliucci focuses on science, pseudoscience and how ordinary citizens can tell the difference. In this talk, he explores what scientists, philosophers and citizens themselves need to do promote a better understanding of science. Pigliucci earned a PhD degree in biology from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in philosophy from the University of Tennessee.
Between Scientists & Citizens: Assessing Expertise in Policy Controversies
June 1-2, 2012


We are increasingly dependent on advice from experts in making decisions in our personal, professional, and civic lives. But as our dependence on experts has grown, new media have broken down the institutional barriers between the technical, personal and civic realms, and we are inundated with purported science from all sides. Many share a sense that science has lost its "rightful place" in our deliberations. This conference gathers scholars from the humanities and social sciences to deepen our understanding of effective and appropriate science communication in policy controversies.

Cosponsored By:
  • Center for Excellence in the Arts & Humanities
  • College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
  • English
  • Philosophy
  • Speech Communication Program
  • Strengthening the Professoriate @ ISU
  • Committee on Lectures (funded by Student Government)

Stay for the entire event, including the brief question-and-answer session that follows the formal presentation. Most events run 75 minutes.

Sign-ins are after the event concludes. For lectures in the Memorial Union, go to the information desk in the Main Lounge. In other academic buildings, look for signage outside the auditorium.

Lecture Etiquette

  • Stay for the entire lecture and the brief audience Q&A. If a student needs to leave early, he or she should sit near the back and exit discreetly.
  • Do not bring food or uncovered drinks into the lecture.
  • Check with Lectures staff before taking photographs or recording any portion of the event. There are often restrictions. Cell phones, tablets and laptops may be used to take notes or for class assignments.
  • Keep questions or comments brief and concise to allow as many as possible.