Health/Science calendar
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
A good decision Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman will discuss judgment and intuition, and how they are related, in the first in a series of three lectures by Kahneman sponsored by Harvard’s Mind/Brain/Behavior Interfaculty Initiative. Followed by commentary from Harvard economics professor David Laibson. From 5 to 7 p.m., Yenching Auditorium, 2 Divinity Ave., Cambridge. Go to mbb.harvard.edu.
Sick around the world Frontline will examine the healthcare systems of advanced capitalist democracies, including France, Germany, and Switzerland, to determine whether they can serve as an example for better healthcare in the United States. From 9 to 10 p.m., WGBH (Ch. 2). Go to wgbh.org.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
Cape Cod conservation A Henry David Thoreau-themed lecture about major conservation challenges facing the outer Cape will focus on ways to preserve the shoreline that Thoreau wrote about in his book ‘‘Cape Cod.’’ At 6 p.m., Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge. Go to hmnh.harvard.edu.
Cancer truths A PBS documentary will provide an intimate look at cancer research and what it is like to live with cancer. Based on filmmaker Linda Garmon’s experience with her husband’s cancer battle. Followed by conversation about dealing with the illness. From 9 to 11 p.m., WGBH (Ch. 2). Go to wgbh.org.
Gut instinct Prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases will be the topic of a Harvard Medical School Longwood Seminar. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, 77 Ave. Louis Pasteur. Call 617-432-3038.
A rational decision Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman will discuss the theory of rational choice, and why many people do not use the theory when making decisions. Followed by commentary from Harvard philosophy and public policy professor Frances Kamm. From 5 to 7 p.m., Yenching Auditorium, 2 Divinity Ave., Cambridge. Go to mbb.harvard.edu.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17
A satisfying decision In the third lecture by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, he will discuss how the relationship between what people want and what they experience shapes their concept of well-being. Followed by commentary from Harvard psychology professor Daniel Gilbert. 5 to 7 p.m., Yenching Auditorium, 2 Divinity Ave., Cambridge. Go to mbb.harvard.edu.
Totally stellar The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics will hold a lecture about the origin of stars, discussing how views have changed since the time of the ancient Greeks. Doors open 7 p.m., lecture 7:30 p.m., Phillips Auditorium, 60 Garden St., Cambridge. Go to cfa-www.harvard.edu.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17 - FRIDAY, APRIL 18
Women and health reform Simmons College will host a national healthcare conference that focuses on women’s role in healthcare reform. Open to the public, but reservations are required. Keynote by former US surgeon general M. Joycelyn Elders at 9:45 a.m. Thursday; events continue into Friday. Go to raisingwomensvoices.net.
SATURDAY, APRIL 19
When Pluto was a planet A new planetarium show will address why scientists kicked Pluto out of the planet club, and how Pluto’s new status as a dwarf affects the rest of the solar system. First show 1:30 p.m., Museum of Science. Go to mos.org.
Blocking the sun’s rays The Harvard Museum of Natural History will hold a lecture about pollution that may be blocking sunlight from reaching the earth. Followed by related 55-minute NOVA documentary. Free with museum admission. Lecture, 1 p.m.; film, 2 p.m. At the museum, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge. Go to hmnh.harvard.edu.
SUNDAY, APRIL 20
Gorilla king Conservationist Ian Redmond discusses his memories of Titus, one of only 700 mountain gorillas left in Rwanda, and the primatologist who first met and named Titus in 1974. On Nature, at 8 p.m., on WGBH (Ch. 2). Go to wgbh.org. 