Biology, psychology, economics experts to share recent discoveries, ask how much rational, moral behavior is hard-wired in March 21-22 symposium

March 11, 2009

How much rational and moral behavior is hard-wired in the brain, as opposed to being learned?

An assembly of leading researchers from around the world -- including Reinhard Selten, 1994 Nobel economics prize winner; Paul Zak, discoverer of the neuroeconomic effects of trust on the hormone oxytocin; and Leonardo Fogassi, co-discoverer of the mirror-neuron system in the brain -- will focus on that question March 21-22 at the University of Richmond.

The Symposium on Emotions, Natural Selection and Rationality will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith's book, "Theory of Moral Sentiments," in which Smith proposed how morality depends on emotional projection. The mirror-neuron system, conceivably the basis of sympathetic emotions, highlights the fact that there is a biological basis of moral and rational behavior.

Selten, Zak and Fogassi all will deliver keynote speeches during the symposium, which also marks the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's "The Origin of Species."

Registration is free and open to the public on a space-available basis. For more information, contact Jonathan Wight at jwight@richmond.edu or (804) 289-8570.  For online registration and information, visit business.richmond.edu/news_events/current_events/3-21-09_Econ_Symposium.html.