UB Professor Emeritus Examines “Conspiracy Theory” at Unitarian Church Sunday, December 15, 202412/6/2024
 Phillips Stevens and Faith Graham Jamestown, N.Y. – “Conspiracy Theory” is a common phrase in the news these days. What does it mean?
With PowerPoint slides, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s (UUCJ) 10:30 a.m. hybrid service on Sunday, December 15, Phillips Stevens Jr. will discuss “The Anthropology of Conspiracy Theories.” Violinist Faith Graham will provide special music. Stevens will look at some of the standard elements in public narratives about hidden evil forces that are working among us to subvert our way of life. He says, “Anthropology reveals that such beliefs are timeless and universal, and intensify in times of general social anxiety. Most interesting: Many conspiracy theories throughout history have several terrible elements in common, which are suggestive of their likely origins in the evolution of human sociality.” Stevens retired in 2019 after 48 years in the Anthropology Department at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. He received his B.A. in English from Yale in 1963, served with the Peace Corps in Nigeria for three years, and received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1973. He has conducted anthropological research in West Africa and the Caribbean and is the author of many publications in cultural anthropology and African studies. Among his honors are two awards for excellence in teaching and an African chieftaincy title. He lectures frequently to community groups on subjects of current concern. An ENL (English as a New Language) teacher, Graham began teaching violin more than 25 years ago and has been an instructor at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts since 2019. Coincidentally, her father, Ron Graham, was an early recipient (1990) of UUCJ’s T. Richard Parker Award for Social Justice for his work on behalf of under-privileged children and the formation of the Jamestown Striders and Lighted Schoolhouse program. Dr. Jeffrey Victor is the service leader. Participation in the service can be in person at 1255 Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown or online. To join virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown is a progressive, liberal religious community serving the southern tier of Western New York and Warren County, Pa. The UUCJ’s mission is to support and celebrate each other, encourage spiritual and individual growth, and serve the wider community. ### Comments are closed.
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