Welcome to Humanists in Berkshire Discussion Group
“It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” Joseph Joubert
Dine, Discuss, and Debate in a friendly environment!
Upcoming Meetings
The Implications of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is already making decisions that affect who receives bail, which cancer scans get flagged, and how children are taught. Some of us are using these tools every day without fully understanding what they are or how they work.
Will they make our lives easier? Or quietly steer us in directions we haven’t chosen? Can we trust what they tell us? Where have they already caused real harm, and where have they produced genuine breakthroughs?
Briefing Materials
The Implications of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is already making decisions that affect who receives bail, which cancer scans get flagged, and how children are taught. Some of us are using these tools every day without fully understanding what they are or how they work.
Will they make our lives easier? Or quietly steer us in directions we haven’t chosen? Can we trust what they tell us? Where have they already caused real harm, and where have they produced genuine breakthroughs?
Previous Topics
Science Ethics and Humanism
What role does ethics play in science? How does this relate to the humanist advocacy of science? Does science provide a model of ethical enterprise? Is it wise to imply that scientists must be good role models? Should being a good humanist require a strong belief in science?
How Did Human Culture Evolve?
In recent years, evolutionary biologists have proposed theories that explain human culture as an essentially evolutionary adaption. This is a departure from the past that emphasises the natural and evolutionary origins of human culture.
What Happened to Progress?
In much of the Western world, a curious paradox has emerged: despite living in an age of extraordinary global economic progress, public sentiment is increasingly marked by pessimism. Billions have been lifted out of poverty, life expectancy has risen, and technological breakthroughs – from AI to renewable energy – promise transformative change. But many in affluent societies feel disillusioned.
Can/Will AI Become Conscious?
Can/will AI become conscious? And, if so, how will we know and what form will this consciousness take?
Processed Foods and Weight Loss Drugs
How are weight loss drugs set to change the way we think about weight loss? Who should be taking these drugs? What are the benefits and the risks? How does our reliance on processed foods have serious negative consequences on physical and mental health?
Evolution and Religion
When did humans develop spiritual thought? Is there an evolutionary basis for religion? What role has religion played in human social history? And in our increasingly secular world, why has it endured?
Tribalism: Is it Good or Bad?
Tribalism is often blamed for creating division and conflict in society. Drawing from cultural psychologist Michael Morris’s book Tribal, we’ll explore its origins — where it comes from, what our tribal instincts truly are, and how they’ve shaped human history. In today’s fast-changing world, we’ll examine both the challenges posed by our tribal inheritance and the unique opportunities it offers to drive positive change.
Is Meritocracy Fair?
The question Is meritocracy fair? is raised by Professor Richard Plomin in his book Blueprint: How DNA Makes Us Who We Are. Professor Plomin is one of the world’s leading genetic behaviouralists and his book summarises the lessons of half a century of research into “nature v nurture” His conclusion is that it is both, with nature playing around 50% and nurture the remainder.