About this talk

Have you ever pondered over the observation that in little more than a century, a gaol established in Sydney Cove with 1000 souls joined the International stage as an independent Federated nation of in excess of three million – an unprecedented event in the history of man!

This presentation explores the theme that the convict settlement was the “perfect storm” to test the idea that the Enlightenment — with its roots in late Middle Age Europe, and finding its expression in the Laws of Newton and the logic of Locke — created a confidence and capacity for humanity to achieve a new potential.

Em. Professor Robert Clancy AM FRS(N) explores firstly, the influence of the dominant contemporary ideas in science as introduced by James Cook and Joseph Banks, and how this played out in a young Australia in its impact on patterns of scientific development. Secondly, the self-belief and “have go” mentality reflecting John Locke’s optimistic view of men and women forced to face and control extraordinary challenges not just to survive, but to create a new and independent society, based on science and the goodness of man.

The question today is “have we lost that spirit of the Enlightenment to reactive conservatism?”

About this series on The Enlightenment

The Royal Society of NSW and the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts (SMSA) — the two oldest institutions in NSW dedicated to education — are proud to present a collaborative lecture program, The Enlightenment Series.

Over the course of four lectures across 2017 & 2018, our speakers will investigate the beginnings of the Enlightenment and its influence on colonial Australia. The series will conclude with an interactive sophistry in which we will endeavour to answer the question — is the Enlightenment dead?

View the full Lecture Schedule

Download ‘The Enlightenment’ Series Flyer (PDF)

Guest Speaker

Em. Professor Robert Llewellyn Clancy AM is a leading Australian clinical immunologist and a pioneer in the field of mucosal immunology. He is known for his research and development of therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), commonly known as emphysema. Professor Clancy is Emeritus Professor at the University of Newcastle’s School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy. He was previously Foundation Chair of Pathology at the University of Newcastle and earlier in his career, was the first Clinical Immunologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia (FRCPA).

Alongside his professional medical interests, Professor Clancy has long been involved in historical research, particularly in the areas of medical history and cartographic history. He has written two books on the mapping of Australia and Antarctica (The Mapping of Terra Australis and So Came They South) and has served as the International Secretary of IMCoS (International Map Collectors Society). Currently he is developing a ‘History of Medicine’ course through the College of Physicians.

Professor Clancy was awarded an AM (Order of Australia) in 2005 for service to cartography as a collector of early maps of Australia, and to the field of immunology.

Archive:

Em. Prof. Robert Clancy AM FRSN: The Freedom to Use Your Own Intelligence

Monday, 6 November 2017, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Venue: Mitchell Theatre

The Freedom to Use Your Own Intelligence: The Enlightenment & the Growth of the Australian Nation

Join Em. Professor Robert Clancy AM FRSN as he explores how the ideals and philosophies of the Enlightenment movement affected the development of Australia’s self-identity and nationhood.

This is the second lecture of The Enlightenment Series, a program of talks co-hosted by the SMSA and the Royal Society of NSW.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK or call (02) 9262 7300

NB: Bookings will close at Midnight, Sunday, 5 November, however tickets will be available at the door (Cash Only).

Venue

Mitchell Theatre, Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts

Time

6.00pm for 6:30pm
Light refreshments will be served before each lecture

Cost

$15 – SMSA & Royal Society Members/Fellows
$20 – non-members and friends – all are welcome

Image Credits:

A colour botanical engraving showing ” Embossed and pencil text in the bottom left corner of the print reads “BANKS’ FLORILEGIUM / PLATE No 741 EDITION No 5/100”. Used with kind permission of the National Museum Australia 2007.0030.0414.001

Detail from the Frontispiece of Diderot’s Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, 1772

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