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Cognitive linguist George Lakoff to speak at UO about how humans reason

Lakoff is co-founder of the Rockridge Institute, a think tank for progressive politics and public policies. His talk will survey basic findings about the nature of human reason.

George Lakoff, UC-Berkeley linguisticsEUGENE, Ore. -- (April 16, 2008) -- George Lakoff, a professor of cognitive linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley, will deliver a lecture on "The Brain and Its Politics," at 7 p.m., Friday, April 25, in Room 150, Columbia Hall, 1215 E. 13th Avenue.

Lakoff is the co-founder and senior fellow of the Rockridge Institute, a think tank for progressive politics and public policies. His talk will survey basic findings about what human reason is really like and show why this matters in politics.

Over the past 30 years, Lakoff posits, cognitive and brain sciences have shown that human reason --instead of being conscious and logical -- takes place mostly below the level of consciousness and is much more interesting and complex than was once believed.

He is the author of several books, including, "Don’t Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate" and "Philosophy in the Flesh" with UO philosophy professor Mark Johnson.

The lecture is co-sponsored by the Oregon Humanities Center's Wulf Professorship and its Endowment for Public Outreach in the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities. The talk is free and open to the public. To arrange disability accommodations call 541-346-3934 before April 18. Seating is limited.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Pauline Austin, 541-346-3129, paustin@uoregon.edu

Link: Oregon Humanities Center, http://www.uoregon.edu/~humanctr/

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Media Relations Contact Info

Phone: (541) 346-3134
Email: uonews@uoregon.edu

Staff Members (Position Details)
Phil Weiler: 541-346-3873; pweiler@uoregon.edu
Julie Brown: 541-346-3185; julbrown@uoregon.edu
Heidi Hiaasen: 541-346-3606, heidih@uoregon.edu
Jim Barlow: 541-346-3481; jebarlow@uoregon.edu
Pauline Austin: 541-346-3129; paustin@uoregon.edu
Shannon Rose: 541-346-3314; roses@uoregon.edu

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