Amir Aczel 'The Jesuit and the Skull' (broadcast Friday, December 7th, 2007)

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was born in Auvergne, France, in 1881. He was trained in geology and paleontology, but was also a Jesuit priest. He was one of a group of researchers that in 1929 discovered the Homo erectus skull that came to be known as 'Peking Man.' In this segment, Ira talks with Amir Aczel, author of the new book 'The Jesuit and the Skull,' about Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, his life, and the challenges he faced in balancing his religion with his science. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests

Amir Aczel
Author, "The Jesuit and the Skull: Teilhard de Chardin, Evolution, and the Search for Peking Man" (2007, Riverhead Books)
Professor of Mathematics, University of New Hampshire
Research fellow, Center for Philosophy and History of Science, Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

Related Links

• Museum d’Histoire Naturelle: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
• Wired: A Globe, Clothing Itself with a Brain
• American Teilhard Association

Segment produced by:Karin Vergoth

Elsewhere on Sciencefriday.com

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