Who: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Dr. Matthew O’Dowd
What: Book launch and talk
Where: Lovinger Theater at Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West
When: Monday, September 19, $58.42 (includes signed copy of book), 7:00
Why: “Objective truths of science are not founded in belief systems. They are not established by the authority of leaders or the power of persuasion. Nor are they learned from repetition or gleaned from magical thinking. To deny objective truths is to be scientifically illiterate, not to be ideologically principled,” Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson explains in his new book, Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization (Macmillan, $28.99). “After all that, you’d think only one definition for truth should exist in this world, but no. At least two other kinds prevail that drive some of the most beautiful and the most violent expressions of human conduct. Personal truths have the power to command your mind, body, and soul, but are not evidence-based. Personal truths are what you’re sure is true, even if you can’t — especially if you can’t — prove it. Some of these ideas derive from what you want to be true. Others take shape from charismatic leaders or sacred doctrines, either ancient or contemporary. For some, especially in monotheistic traditions, God and Truth are synonymous.”
On September 19 at 7:00, the superstar astrophysicist and beloved pop-culture icon will be back where it all started, his home borough of the Bronx, to launch Starry Messenger. He’ll be at the Lovinger Theater at Lehman College to discuss the book with physics and astronomy chair Matthew O’Dowd, host of the YouTube show PBS Space Time; the event is being presented with the Lit. Bar, the Bronx bookstore and wine bar run by Lehman alum Noëlle Santos. Tickets include a presigned copy of the book, which features such chapters as “Truth & Beauty: Aesthetics in life and in the cosmos,” “Conflict & Resolution: Tribal forces within us all,” “Meatarians & Vegetarians: We are not entirely what we eat,” “Law & Order: The foundation of civilization, whether we like it or not,” and “Body & Mind: Human physiology may be overrated.”