R OYA L S O C I E T Y T E A PĀ R A N G I
“Nabokov and Popper were contemporaries, both living through most of the twentieth century and both uprooted by war and revolution. In many ways, nevertheless, they were antithetical, but what for me links them is their love of freedom and their delight in the endless adventure of discovery.” BRIAN BOYD
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The adventure of discovery 54
2020 Rutherford Medallist Distinguished Professor Brian Boyd FRSNZ spoke about the relationship between the arts, humanities and sciences in his 2021 Rutherford Lecture. He focused on both Vladimir Nabokov, thought by some to be the greatest writer of the 20th century, and Karl Popper, thought by others to be the most fertile thinker of the century. Both were passionate about science and contributed to it at high levels, and both saw knowledge of all kinds as an adventure of endless discovery. Brian also considered how evolution, without which we cannot explain life on Earth – including social life, and culture – may help explain art, thought, and discovery. The lecture took place in Auckland in Here-turi-kōkā August a few days before the national lockdown to prevent community spread of the Delta strain of Covid-19. Unfortunately, his talks in other centres had to be cancelled.