Daniel Peterson interview of Dr. Samuel T. Wilkinson скачать в хорошем качестве

Daniel Peterson interview of Dr. Samuel T. Wilkinson

On 18 October 2024, Daniel Peterson recorded an interview with Dr. Samuel T. Wilkinson, an active Latter-day Saint who currently serves as an associate professor of psychiatry in Yale University’s School of Medicine. Their conversation focused on Professor Wilkinson’s recent book, Purpose: What Evolution and Human Nature Imply About the Meaning of Our Existence (New York and London: Pegasus Books, 2024). That discussion is now available for viewing. In Purpose, Dr. Wilkinson argues for a religious dimension—indeed, a religious purpose—in evolution. “Our coming into existence was not random,” he contends, “allowing for the possibility of an overarching purpose to our lives. But evolution seems to have shaped us in such a way that we are pulled in different directions: the dual potential of human nature. We also find ourselves in possession of free will. . . . [W]hen we bring it all together, it seems clear . . . that life is a test. A principal purpose of our existence is to choose between the good and evil inherent within us.” Purpose was not written for a primarily Latter-day Saint audience, but elements of its argument will surely resonate with students of the Book of Mormon.