Feb. 26, 2006

For Release: IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT
Contact: Leslie A. Zukor | reed.freethinkers@gmail.com

PORTLAND, ORE. - Daniel Dennett, the Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University, as well as the author of Darwin’s Dangerous Idea and Consciousness Explained, will be speaking this upcoming week about his new book, Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon.

The event will take place in Reed College’s Vollum Lecture Hall at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 1st, 2006; a Question and Answer session and book signing will follow. Admission is free, but does require a ticket. A limited number of free tickets will be available at the door. The book has been has high as #3 on Amazon’s nonfiction bestseller’s list. The talk is being hosted by the Reed College Freethinkers, a college activist and discussion-oriented group.

In this new book, geared at a popular audience, Dennett contends that religion is a natural process that is the result of evolution. Dennett challenges religious people to examine their own faith scientifically.

Having studied under Gilbert Ryle and Willard Quine, Dennett comes from a weighty philosophical tradition. Unlike many other famous philosophers, he has established points of contact in more scientific disciplines. His arguments and style of thought have influenced studies of human agency, consciousness, developmental psychology, evolutionary theory, and now, religion. “Dennett’s book is so impressive,” contends sophomore student and Reed College Freethinkers founder, Leslie A. Zukor, “because of the questions it asks. It opens the door for further inquiry on religion that is truly interdisciplinary in scope.”

Media are encouraged to reserve a free ticket by emailing Leslie A. Zukor at reed.freethinkers@gmail.com.

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