Ethical Matters: Why Optimism Wins

Description

What does Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition have in common with the chicken that crossed the road? Or James Baldwin’s campaign for civil rights with the development of AI? Or even Crossrail with George Bush’s ‘mission accomplished’?

Optimism, irrational though it might seem, is central to the human psyche: it appears to provide them with an advantage both in everyday life and in the evolutionary race.

In his book The Bright Side, Sumit Paul-Choudhury makes a vital and transformative argument: that optimism is not only the natural state of humanity but an essential one. Without optimism, they would never have survived the unpredictable – and often hostile – world they evolved into. Yet optimism is not reserved for moments of extremity. Its benefits manifest throughout their everyday lives: in their relationships, careers, bodies, and minds. It will also play a critical role in overcoming the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Sumit is an astrophysicist-turned-journalist, former editor-in-chief of New Scientist magazine, and has served as a judge for the Baillie Gifford Prize (formerly the Samuel Johnson Prize), the Wellcome Prize, and the Costa Book Awards.

Age Recommendation:

16+

Price: *All ticket prices below include a £1 booking fee*

In person: Standard £10 • Living Support £7 • Students £7 • Members FREE
Online: Standard £7 • Members FREE

Access Information

Due to the age and Grade II listing of the building, there is no lift access to rooms above the ground floor.

All the ground-floor rooms are fully accessible by wheelchair. Main Hall (street access, step-free), Brockway Room (street access, step-free), Bertrand Russell Room (street access, shallow ramp), Hive Cafe (street access, step-free). There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor opposite the Brockway Room.

Date

Location

Conway Hall
25 Red Lion Square
London
London
WC1R 4RL

Prices

Contact and Booking Details

More information at this website.

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Disclaimer

The information and prices in this listing are presumed to be correct at the time of publishing, but please always check with the venue before making a special trip.

All images are supplied by the exhibition organiser.