What Drives Humanity’s Biggest Gambles?
While many of us shy away from taking risks as individuals, collectively we seem to have no problem embracing huge gambles—even with the very existence of our species. How strange is that?
Why do humans take risks that no other species would dare? How did our ancestors’ gambles—sometimes reckless, sometimes ingenious—shape our evolution? And could the very trait that made us dominant on Earth now lead to our downfall?
On January 20, 2025, Don Ross, a leading economist and philosopher, will join the ReSES Project to explore the forces behind humanity’s unique relationship with risk, how it shaped our history, and the bets we’re making today as a species. In this talk, he will give us an exclusive preview of his latest research, connecting dots between ancient survival strategies, modern economic systems, and the existential challenges we face today.
About the Speaker
Don Ross is a globally recognized thinker, known for his bold, interdisciplinary approach to both economics and philosophy. He is an experimental economist and philosopher of science, based at University College Cork in Ireland since 2016, the University of Cape Town in South Africa since 1997, and Georgia State University in Atlanta, USA since 2010. Ross is a prolific writer, with many academic articles and books on a wide range of topics. He has also done policy consulting for public and corporate clients, including the World Bank, the South African National Roads Agency, the US Department of Commerce, and the Government of Namibia.
Don Ross is the co-author (w/Glenn Harrison) of the forthcoming book, The Gambling Animal: Humanity’s Evolutionary Winning Streak – and How We Risk It All (more info).
About the ReSES Project
The Rethinking the Serviceability of Economics to Society (ReSES) project explores the role and ability of economics in addressing most pressing challenges. It brings together researchers, practitioners, and curious minds to rethink how economic thinking serves—or fails to serve—society.
Join us on January 20 to rethink what we know about humanity’s greatest gambles—and where they might lead us.
📅 Date: January 20, 2025
🕒 Time: 14:00 (Helsinki time, EET)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom 🔗 https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/64608700680?pwd=4ME38oS3b8bDezhAnl8JRWFjynbIfj.1
📧 Contact: contact (at) reses-argumenta.fi
About the Host
👋 Hi, I’m Emrah, and I’ll be your host for this event! I’m a philosopher of economics at the University of Helsinki and the leader of the ReSES Project. I’m also one of the Chief Editors of the Journal of Economic Methodology. I’m passionate about exploring how economic thinking shapes our world, with a focus on models, institutions, and their real-world impact. I look forward to welcoming you to this exciting conversation with Don Ross!
