Research Seminar - 18.05.2026: Oren Harman - Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History

Oren Harman Bar Ilan University

Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History

“How many creatures walking on this earth / Have their first being in another form?” the Roman poet Ovid asked two thousand years ago. He could not have known the full extent of the truth: today, biologists estimate a stunning three-quarters of all animal species on Earth undergo some form of metamorphosis. But why do tadpoles transform into frogs, caterpillars into butterflies, elvers into eels, immortal jellyfish from sea sprigs to medusae and back again, growing younger and younger in frigid ocean depths? Why must creatures go through massive destruction and remodeling to become themselves? This mystery has sparked the interest of natural philosophers and scientists from Aristotle to Darwin and beyond, but also of artists, mystics and writers from Rumi to J.M Barrie to Richard Strauss. On the occasion of the publication of his new book, “Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History”, Oren Harman will discuss the various meanings of change in biology, philosophy and art.

Gathering for coffee and refreshments at 16:00

Chair: Ori Belkind

The public is invited