The Illinois Objectivist Club will hold their annual public lecture called “Creationism in Camouflage: The Intelligent Design Deception,” on Thursday at 7 p.m. in room 314 of Altgeld Hall, 1409 W. Green St. Keith Lockitch will be the guest speaker.

For decades creationists have sought to replace the theory of evolution with the book of Genesis, but defenders of the evolutionary theory have traditionally been prevalent in schools and courts of law, according to an event flyer.

This struggle for intellectual survival has led to the evolution of a new “species” of creationist, better adapted to its inhospitable environment. The new creationism goes by the name of “Intelligent Design” and poses a greater danger than old-style creationism, according to Lockitch’s Web site.

Lockitch, who holds a doctorate in physics and is a junior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, edits and writes opinion-editorials and teaches in the Objectivist Academic Center. He teaches undergraduate writing and a graduate course on the history of physics. Before joining the institute, he completed postdoctoral research in physics here at the University.

In the lecture, Lockitch will examine the Intelligent Design movement, focusing on its similarities and differences with standard creationism. Lockitch will address many issues in the lecture, including the idea that “by hiding its religious essence behind a cloak of pseudo-science, the movement seeks to make itself more palatable to intellectuals and the general public.” Today’s academics – including the most passionate and vocal defenders of evolution – are incapable of answering its most fundamental arguments, according to Lockitch’s Web site.

As stated on their Web site, The Illinois Objectivist Club was founded in October of 1998. The organization is dedicated to the continuing study and spread of objectivism, the philosophy of reason, individualism and capitalism developed by Ayn Rand. The president of the club, Darrin Weathersby, sophomore in LAS, encourages anyone affiliated with the University to participate in their activities.

“The website features many aspects of the club, including a snapshot of who we are, what we do, what we stand for and why people should be involved,” Weathersby said.