About the topic:

Paul Bassett’s presentation will include a review of Michael S. Gazzaniga’s “Who’s In Charge?: Free Will and the Science of the Brain,” which looks at how science’s understanding of neuroscience and the brain affect our old understandings of free will which may have to change in light of modern biology. Paul has given this presentation before and looks forward to sharing it with us. He always gives interesting and provacative talks and you won’t want to miss this one!

About the presenter:

Paul has taught university computer science courses and co-founded software engineering companies. He has achieved recognition and professional memberships for his work on software engineering, and published numerous papers and articles and a book on the subject. He is past president of the Central Ontario Humanists, and was a member of IEEE’s distinguished visitor program. He has multiple professional certification and a M.Sc. in computer science form the University of Toronto.

The presentation on male circumcision is two videos (1 hour 30 minutes):

Christopher Guest MD,FRCPC is from Barrie. He is a physician and an intactivist who believes that circumcision of non-consenting minors should be illegal.

Sadly, I didn’t get most of the presentation, but you can watch an older version of it if you’d like. Here’s a playlist of all 10 videos, each about 10 minutes long, including a Q&A after the presentation.

This month we will be meeting at Applebee’s (326 Bayfield St, in the Bayfield Mall parking lot) for our before the meeting dinner. Also, we will be having a mini-putt social event on the 29th (RSVP by Wed). Also inside this email: our financial information for 2011, in case you want to keep a close eye on our bank balance.

I look forward to see you all this month.

Sunday, April 29th: Mini-Putt

On Sunday April 29th at 1pm we will be meeting at Putting Edge for some fun mini-putt. Bring your friends and families for good socializing. Please RSVP by replying to this email so we know how many people to expect. RSVP by Wednesday 29th

Prices are $9 for adult, $7 for children that are 12 and under.

Financial Records

I’m pleased to announce that COHA’s financial information for 2011 are now available for you to look at if you are in to that. Income, Balance Sheet, Bank Record and Monthly Withdraws and Deposits are all listed on separate sheets.

Unsolicited Commercial Email

I get mail announcing products that marketers think should be targetted to Humanists. For example, I got an email about “Ethics for Kids!” a new book on Amazon and other places from KidsThinkAboutIt.com … No idea if it’s any good or if it’s stupid. Might be pure evil. But I thought I should start going through this stuff and passing it out, rather than just ignoring it like I usually do.

So why not have you all help me? Any links, video, websites or books that we should be letting each other know about? Write up a one sentence description, email them to me, and I may send them out in future newsletters.

Have a real April!

Download the slides for Am I My Brain.

About the topic: The brain’s ‘job’ is to enable and control everything an organism does. But how exactly does the brain control so many complex tasks so well and so seamlessly every second of every day? Vincent will explain that it is the brain’s dynamic communication capabilities that explain how these processes work and why you can teach an old dog new tricks, namely how adult humans and other organisms have practical intelligences, social capabilities, and he will deal with the question of artificial persons.

About the speaker: Dr. Vincent DiNorcia has a PhD in Philosophy and is widely published on a range of topics, specializing in business/technology ethics. Most recently his article in the current Nov/Dec issues of Philosophy Now, “Ethics & The Brain” is available at Chapters if supplies have lasted. Also, he is a long time member and repeat speaker for the Central Ontario Humanists.

Monday, April 2

I have an important announcement: Our usual before-our-meeting dinner has been changed to East Side Mario’s on Bayfield Street. It has not been decided if this will be a one time change or something that happens from now on.

Monday, March 5: The Myth of Universal Rights

On Monday, March 5th at 7PM the Central Ontario Humanists will have Dr. David N. Stamos discussUniversal Human Rights, in which he will argue that this widespread concept is a modern myth given the science of evolution. We meet at the Barrie Public Library in the Angus Ross Room. Guests are welcome, and your first three meetings are free.

Doors open at 6:30, and the presentation starts promptly at 7 PM. We will be meeting for dinner and discussion at 5 PM at East Side Mario’s on Bayfield St. Anyone is welcome to come. If you have any questions about our pre-meeting dinner, please email me and ask. As always, we will be collecting food for the Elizabeth Fry Society’s Grocery Assist Program.

About the topic

David Stamos’ forthcoming book, “The Myth of Universal Human Rights” speaks about concept of human rights (universal, equal, innate, inalienable). Dr. Stamos argues that if evolution is true then the basis ofdocuments such as the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights is completely undermined.

About the speaker

David N. Stamos is a philosopher of science and teaches in the Philosophy Department at York University. His research interests are the Philosophy of biology, Darwin (historical research on his species concept and pre-Darwinian taxonomy), David Hume (finding Hume’s God), Human nature, Human rights, Karl Popper.

I have an important announcement: Our usual before-our-meeting dinner has been changed to East Side Mario’s on Bayfield Street. It has not been decided if this will be a one time change or something that happens from now on.

Monday, March 5: The Myth of Universal Rights

On Monday, March 5th at 7PM the Central Ontario Humanists will have Dr. David N. Stamos discussUniversal Human Rights, in which he will argue that this widespread concept is a modern myth given the science of evolution. We meet at the Barrie Public Library in the Angus Ross Room. Guests are welcome, and your first three meetings are free.

Doors open at 6:30, and the presentation starts promptly at 7 PM. We will be meeting for dinner and discussion at 5 PM at East Side Mario’s on Bayfield St. Anyone is welcome to come. If you have any questions about our pre-meeting dinner, please email me and ask.

About the topic

David Stamos’ forthcoming book, “The Myth of Universal Human Rights” speaks about concept of human rights (universal, equal, innate, inalienable). Dr. Stamos argues that if evolution is true then the basis ofdocuments such as the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights is completely undermined.

About the speaker

David N. Stamos is a philosopher of science and teaches in the Philosophy Department at York University. His research interests are the Philosophy of biology, Darwin (historical research on his species concept and pre-Darwinian taxonomy), David Hume (finding Hume’s God), Human nature, Human rights, Karl Popper.

We have our schedule for 2012! After many requests we are changing our meeting day to the first Monday of the month. On the occasion where we couldn’t book the first Monday of the month I have shown the adjustment in brackets.

Monday, March 5: Dr. Stamos on The Myth of Universal Human Rights
Monday, April 2: Dr. Christopher Guest on Male Circumcision
Monday, May 7
Monday, June 4
Summer Solstice Party tentatively July 7 at Springwater Park

Summer Solstice

Hot on the heals of last year’s winter solstice party, I am going to announce that the Executive is currently planning to have the summer solstice party in Springwater Park again this year, and tentatively have selected July 7th as the date. All comments and opinions regarding the summer solstice party location and agenda are welcome. Simply reply back to this email.

Membership

Many people’s memberships are coming due. You can download our membership form and fill it in and bring it to the next meeting. Are you not sure when your membership is up? That’s okay! Feel free to pay in advance your next year’s membership. Why put off until later what you can put off forever?

Volunteers

If you would like to help run the day to day operations of the group, we’d love to have you help out on occasion. For example, having someone volunteer to help record who comes each day would be a great benefit. Contact me if you would like to volunteer on occasion.

Financial Information

I am very excited to report a strong uptick in how interested and enthusiastic our support is from you, our members. Many people are taking a stronger interest in the organization than ever before. One example is that several people have requested the financial return information for COHA, which we are currently finalizing for our submission to Revenue Canada. For the first time ever I am pleased to say we will be posting this information online as well as emailing it out to all of you. You concern, support and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated.

I will see you soon,