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Brutality and the Brain

Thursday, June 3, 2010
8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Why do humans commit violent crimes and go to war? How to explain Abu Ghraib? Is human violence wired into our brains and genes? What role does it play in human evolution? Walter Isaacson joins Oliver Goodenough, Marc Hauser and scientists who are using brain imaging and the study of psychopaths to explore the science of moral judgment and behavior, shedding fresh light on the dark side of human nature.

Moderator

Walter IsaacsonAuthor, CEO of the Aspen Institute

Walter Isaacson is president and CEO of the Aspen Institute. He has been chairman and CEO of CNN and editor of TIME magazine. Isaacson’s most recent book is The Innovators; he authored Steve Jobs and several other best-selling biographies.

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Participants

Marc HauserEvolutionary Biologist

Marc Hauser’s award-winning research, at the interface between evolutionary biology and cognitive neuroscience, is aimed at understanding how the minds of human and nonhuman animals evolved.

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Oliver GoodenoughNeuroscience, Law Expert

Oliver Goodenough’s research and writing at the intersection of law, economics, finance, media, technology, neuroscience and behavioral biology make him an authority in several emerging areas of law and its application in society.

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Stephen J. MorsePsychology and Law Expert

Stephen Morse is a renowned expert in criminal and mental health law, whose work emphasizes individual responsibility in criminal and civil law.

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