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Upcoming Events

Ethics Institute Speaker, Elettra Bietti

Time: 12pm-1:30pm

Location: Philosphy and Religion Common Area, Renaissance Park 4th Floor

Title: “Rawls and Anti trust’s Justice Function”

Abstract:

Antitrust law is more contested than ever. The recent push by the Biden Administration to re-orient antitrust towards justice and fairness considerations is leading to public backlash, judicial resistance and piecemeal doctrinal developments. The methodological hegemony of welfare maximizing moves in antitrust makes it theoretically fragile and maladaptive to change. To bridge disagreements and overcome polarization, this talk revisits John Rawls’ foundational work on political and economic justice, arguing that it can facilitate consensus and inform the present and future of antitrust law.

Speaker: Elettra Bietti of Northeastern University

PPE Speaker, Manon Garcia

Time: 10:30am-12pm

Location: Renaissance Park Conference Room 909

Title: “The Joy of Consent: A Philosophy of Good Sex”

Abstract:

On Friday, September 29th, Manon Garcia will be coming to discuss her book “the Joy of Consent: A Philosophy of Good Sex.

Ethics Institute Speaker, Iris Berent

Time: 12pm-1:30pm

Location: Philosophy and Religion Common Area, Renaissance Park 4th Floor

Title: “Can We Get Human Nature Right”

Abstract:

Few questions in science are as controversial as human nature. At stake is whether our basic concepts and emotions are all learned from experience, or whether some are innate. Here, Berent demonstrate that reasoning about innateness is biased by the basic workings of the human mind.
Psychological science suggests that newborns possess core concepts of “object” and “number”. Laypeople, however, believe that newborns are devoid of such notions, but that they can innately recognize emotions. Moreover, people presume that concepts are learned, whereas emotions (along with sensations and actions) are innate.
Berent traces these beliefs to two tacit psychological principles: intuitive Dualism and Essentialism. Essentialism guides tacit reasoning about biological inheritance and suggests that innate traits reside in the body; per intuitive Dualism, however, the mind seems ethereal, distinct from the body. It thus follows that, in our intuitive psychology, concepts (which people falsely consider as disembodied) must be learned, whereas emotions, sensations and emotions (which are considered embodied) are likely innate; these predictions are in line with the experimental results.
In this talk, Berent demonstrates how these intuitive biases taint our understanding of human nature, derail science, and quite possibly, give rise to the “hard problem” of consciousness.
Speaker: Iris Berent of Northeastern University 

Ethics Institute Speaker, Sigal Ben-Porath

Time: Starts at 11:45am

Location: Renaissance Park 909 Conference Room

Title: “Should colleges permit hateful speech?”

Abstract: 

Should colleges permit hateful speech? In this talk Sigal Ben-Porath will draw some boundaries for campus speech, and argue that they are distinct from the boundaries we draw in democracy more broadly. Sigal will consider the commitment to values such as safety, equality, true knowledge, and dignity as limiting factors for protected campus speech. Sigal Will consider some counter arguments, and hope to hear additional counter-arguments during the discussion.

PPE Speaker, Kenan Malik

Time: 10am-11:30am

Location: Renaissance Park Conference Room 909

Title: “Not so Black and White: A History of Race from White Supremacy to Identity Politics”

Abstract:

Kenan Malik (London-based writer, lecturer, broadcaster) will be discussing his new book “Not so Black and White: A History of Race from White Supremacy to Identity Politics.”

“Is Anti-Racism Moralistic?”

  • Speaker: César Cabezas of Temple University
  • Location: Philosophy and Religion Common Area, Renaissance Park 4th floor 

Ethics Institute Speaker, Chris Zurn

Time: Starts at 4:45pm

Location: TBA

Title: “Splitsville USA”

Abstract: 

Christopher Zurn will be talking about his most recent book Splitsville USA. The book argues that, in order to save representative democracy, we need to split up the United States into several new nations, through a mutually negotiated peaceful dissolution. Christopher claims that the roots of the dangers to basic electoral democracy in the current United States are structural, based in our basic political and constitutional institutions. And he argues that the only realistic and effective way to fix those is to dissolve the current US into several new nation states.

TBA

  • Speaker: Bryan Chambliss of Susquehanna University
  • Location: Philosophy and Religion Common Area, Renaissance Park 4th floor