The human capacity for imagination allows us to create fantastic and wondrous universes, to mentally time travel, to perform problem solving simulations, to engage in theory of mind in order to understand others, and to innovate technology. As children, imagination is encouraged as a way to develop cognitive capabilities, and as we grow older, we use and depend on our imagination in our daily lives. Thus, we actually spend a large amount of time in our own particular universe of infinite, imagined possibilities. Evolutionarily, imagination may have helped our ancestors to be successful in making decisions and living in complex societies. Certainly, imagination was key to creating the cultural niche our species now inhabits. In CARTA’s “Imagination and Human Origins” symposium, we will explore imagination as a unique and enhanced human ability, how and why this capacity evolved in our lineage, the impact of imagination in sciences and arts, the consequences of imagination impairment, and the fundamental genetic and neurological basis of human imagination. Free admission but registration is required. See website for details. A live webcast of this symposium will also available. Presented by UC San Diego/Salk Institute Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA) Sponsored by the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation and The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group.