Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 23 hours ago
Charles Darwin’s life and legacy grows more important with each succeeding generation. His ideas are not only for those who accept science and our human place in nature but are also allied to the work of humanists, skeptics and other non-believers. 19th Century freethinkers, whose ideas lend support to our modern writers and activists, looked to Darwin’s work to foster secular justice and the freedom to live beyond the bounds of religious faith and theology. Dr. Orenstein’s presentation shows how Charles Darwin is an apical ancestor not only to modern biology but to the modern freethought movement as well.
Dr. David I. Orenstein is a tenured full professor of Anthropology at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. He is the co-author of two books, the 2015 Godless Grace: How Non-Believers are Making the World Safer Richer and Kinder, and the 2019 publication of Darwin’s Apostles. A primatologist by early training he has written for numerous national and international freethinker and science publications.
Like what you see? Consider becoming a supporter of the Secular Student Alliance! The SSA is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit that relies on the generous support of individuals. With your help we can ensure that more videos like these are available for everyone! Go to secularstudents.org/donate for more information on how you can help secular students.
Charles Darwin’s life and legacy grows more important with each succeeding generation. His ideas are not only for those who accept science and our human place in nature but are also allied to the work of humanists, skeptics and other non-believers. 19th Century freethinkers, whose ideas lend support to our modern writers and activists, looked to Darwin’s work to foster secular justice and the freedom to live beyond the bounds of religious faith and theology. Dr. Orenstein’s presentation shows how Charles Darwin is an apical ancestor not only to modern biology but to the modern freethought movement as well.
Dr. David I. Orenstein is a tenured full professor of Anthropology at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. He is the co-author of two books, the 2015 Godless Grace: How Non-Believers are Making the World Safer Richer and Kinder, and the 2019 publication of Darwin’s Apostles. A primatologist by early training he has written for numerous national and international freethinker and science publications.
Like what you see? Consider becoming a supporter of the Secular Student Alliance! The SSA is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit that relies on the generous support of individuals. With your help we can ensure that more videos like these are available for everyone! Go to secularstudents.org/donate for more information on how you can help secular students.
