By Bill Schlotter

	The global approach of the New Visions program is symbolized by this graphic.

A three-year project to examine and integrate diverse views of nature from many scholarly perspectives on science and religion has entered its second year at UC Santa Barbara with the formation of an international think tank.

“New Visions of Nature, Science, and Religion,” a $1.39-million enterprise supported by a $750.000 grant by the John Templeton Foundation, has created a 18-member international core group of scholars. Its first public event will be a dialogue between theoretical ecologist Simon Levin and science and technology scholar Evelyn Fox Keller this Thursday, Jan. 27 (see Calendar page for details). Another between philosopher Evan Thompson and primatologist Frans de Waal is set for Feb. 13.

Both dialogues are free and open to the public.

Program Director Jim Proctor, associate professor of geography, said the varying views of biophysical nature and human nature from the perspectives of various academic and religious points of view are analogous to a group of blind men seeking to describe an elephant while only being allowed to touch one part.

“We want to develop a comprehensive, scholarly vision of biophysical and human nature as the basis for a new vision of science and religion,” Proctor said. The program will also bring to campus visiting professors, who will give public lectures as well as faculty and student seminars.

Other goals are to create a unique research and educational climate at UCSB to promote progress in understanding nature, science, and religion, and to provide a credible scholarly resource to the public. Proctor has made a special effort to ensure student involvement.

To that end, the program has awarded research or teaching assistantships and research stipends to six UCSB graduate students working on dissertations or publishable research in related areas. It plans to issue nine more awards.

The program also has created an undergraduate class, Geography 22, Nature, Science and Religion, which debuted winter quarter 2005. The class will be available on-line through UCSB Extension. Proctor has also devoted an ongoing graduate seminar class to the topic.

Further information is on the program’s Web site <www.newvisions.ucsb.edu>.