Symposium

<!--HTML-->CERN scientists probe ever-deeper levels of matter and their interactions, but can we say that the patterns they see are truly fundamental? Does the universe obey the same laws throughout? Since mathematical constructions can be true in the absence of any relation to the physical world, is mathematics more fundamental than physics? Extraterrestrial life would probably look much different from that on Earth, but natural selection still be fundamental to their evolution?<br> Leading thinkers from a variety of subjects will explore the question of what is fundamental in a symposium at CERN. Richard Dawkins will speak on biology, Gerard ‘t Hooft will focus on physics, and Alain Connes will discuss mathematics; a leading computer scientist is also scheduled to speak.<br> <p>Entrance free. <br> <p>For more information on the speakers, see these Web sites:<br> Richard Dawkins:<br><br> <a href="http://www.world-of-dawkins.com/index.shtml">http://www.world-of-dawkins.com/index.shtml</a><br><br> Gerard 't Hooft:<br><br> <a href="http://www.nobel.se/physics/laureates/1999/thooft-autobio.html">http://www.nobel.se/physics/laureates/1999/thooft-autobio.html</a><br><br> Alain Connes:<br><br> <a href="http://www.alainconnes.org">http://www.alainconnes.org</a>