Events (2019-2020)
In memory of our beloved graduate, Jesse L. Rowland ’16E, who passed away in September 2017, we share one of his many excellent papers. We will always remember Jesse's sweetness, generosity, and sparkling intellect.
> this year's events in photographs and audio
2019-2020 Forry and Micken Lecture Series on “Just Human Health”
A lecture series funded by the Forry and Micken Fund in Philosophy and Science
First Lecturer of the 2019-2020 Forry and Micken Lecture series will be Douglas Paul Mackay (University of North Carolina).
The talk will take place on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in the Pruyne Lecture Hall.
Title: "TBA"
Second Lecturer of the 2019-2020 Forry and Micken Lecture series will be Madison Powers (Georgetown University).
The talk will take place on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in the Pruyne Lecture Hall.
Title: “TBA”
Third Lecturer of the 2019-2020 Forry and Micken Lecture series will be Marion Hourdequin (Colorado College)
The talk will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in Pruyne Lecture Hall.
Title: "TBA"
The Amherst Lecture in Philosophy
Daniel C. Dennett (Co-Director Center for Cognitive Studies and Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy, Tufts University).
Thursday, October 17, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Pruyne Lecture Hall, Fayerweather Hall
The title of the Fourteenth Annual ALP Lecture is:
“Autonomy, Consciousness and Freedom”
Abstract: Autonomy, in one sense, is self-control—as contrasted with remote control. Self-control is an achievement, not anything that we are born with. Human consciousness is the arena of self-control that we inculcate in those human beings we consider responsible agents. Political freedom is the freedom to move and act at will, and it is a freedom very much worth wanting.
Reception will follow
For further information, please phone Dee Brace at (413) 542-5805 or send e-mail to djbrace@amherst.edu.
Other Events & Lectures Scheduled 2019-2020
Nandi Theunissen (Department of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh)
Thursday, September 12, 2019. 5:00pm, Pruyne Lecture Hall, Fayerweather Hall
Title of her talk is: “The New Mooreans: On Personal and Impersonal Good.”
Abstract: I address a basic question in value theory about the relationship between being good and being good for someone. Is something (A) good because it is good for someone, or (B) is it good for someone because it is good? A group of theorists whom I call the New Mooreans—Joseph Raz, Susan Wolf, Thomas Nagel, and Sarah Buss—defend B: goodness has explanatory priority over goodness for someone. I contend that their arguments are insufficient to secure B. It is false that when something is non-instrumentally good for someone it is so because it is good simpliciter. I conclude by locating a deep point of disagreement between the New Mooreans and their opponents. For the New Mooreans, value affects us as a mere symptom of being good, while for their opponents, value is crucially and essentially affective. Without settling the question of the better theory of value, I suggest that New Mooreans are under pressure to explain the claim of values on our cognitive and practical attention. If the suggestion stands, they must do more to make a real advance over G. E. Moore.
For further information, please phone Dee Brace at (413) 542-5805 or send e-mail to djbrace@amherst.edu.
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Philosophy Seminar Series 2019-2020
The format of the workshop is pre-read. Interested participants should contact Dee Brace for the paper, which will be made available 7-10 days in advance of the seminar date. It is expected that everyone in attendance will have read the paper. Accordingly, the speaker will give only a brief overview of their essential arguments before discussion begins.
Please Mark your calendars for these speakers!
Friday, October 4, 2019
201 Cooper House (Kennick Reading Room)
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Assistant Professor Rima Basu
Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
201 Cooper House (Kennick Reading Room)
4:30pm - 7:00pm
Professor Emerita Cora Diamond
Kenan Professor of Philosophy Emerita, University of Virginia
Thursday, November 7, 2019
201 Cooper House (Kennick Reading Room)
4:30pm - 7:00pm
Assistant Professor Matthias Haase
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Chicago
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