Lecture series to help public channel their inner philosopher

Lecture series to help public channel their inner philosopher

Posted on: 09 January 2025

From the value of truth and war & peace to the role of wonder and the importance of self-care, Trinity's philosophers are asking the public to explore the relevance of philosophy in today's world and offer fresh perspectives on some of our most pressing issues over six lectures.

Starting on the 6thof February 6, 2025, the Department of Philosophy's annual "Philosophy Today" lecture series will take place every second Thursday from 7pm - 8.30pm until the 17thof April in the JM Synge Theatre, Arts Building.

The six-lecture series costs €80 with a concession rate of €40 for students, OAPs, unemployed, groups of 20+, Trinity staff, and graduates. More information is available on the Department of Philosophy website here.

John Divers, Head of the Department of Philosophy, and a featured speak in the series said: "We're delighted to bring Philosophy Today back for 2025. Last year's sold-out series showed there is a strong interest in how philosophy speaks to the challenges of our modern world.  We look forward to a new line-up of thought-provoking talks in 2025 that explore fresh themes and questions, and that will hopefully spark meaningful conversations about the world we live in." 

Programme:

• Thursday, 6th February, Dr Farbod Akhlaghi 'Relatively Civilised, Relatively European': Journalism and Moral Misinformation: What ethical responsibilities should guide journalists when reporting on crises? The 2022 Ukraine crisis highlighted a troubling trend in media descriptions of refugees, raising questions about ethics in journalism. Farbod Akhlaghi, whose work focuses on moral philosophy, will examine the responsibilities journalists have to avoid spreading moral misinformation. 

• Thursday, 20th February, Professor Lilian Alweiss, 'War and Peace': Is it ever morally justifiable to kill in war? While some argue that war can be justified under certain conditions, such as self-defence or protecting justice, others see it as a path that only deepens conflict and perpetuates a cycle of violence. Lilian Alweiss, an expert of Kantian philosophy, will examine moral questions around conflict and peace.

• Thursday, 6th March, Professor John Divers, "On Truth and Its Importance": In a world flooded with competing narratives, does truth still hold value? And if so, what role does it play in shaping our beliefs and actions? John Divers, Professor of Moral Philosophy and an expert on the nature of possibility and necessity, will explore how truth shapes our understanding of the world and why it should continue to matter in modern life. 

• Thursday, 20th March, Dr Richard Teague, "Wondering and Wonder: When Questions Matter More than Answers": Why are some questions valuable even when we can't find their answers? In philosophy, unresolved questions often lead us to rethink our understanding of the unknown. Could these questions themselves spark a deeper sense of wonder and is this the ultimate value that they bring? Richard Teague's research focuses curiosity and the role of questioning in rational thought. 

• Thursday, 3rd April , Dr Clare Moriarty, "Living With Berkeley": George Berkeley, once celebrated at Trinity with a library in his name, has now become a figure of controversy. How should we deal with the legitimate wisdom produced by people with sinister personal histories? Clare Moriarty, whose research focuses on 18th-century philosophy and mathematics, will consider what we can learn from Berkeley's ideas today, while still recognising his complex legacy. 

• Thursday, 17th April, Professor Vasilis Politis, "Socrates and the Care for the Self": What does it mean to truly care for oneself? In Plato's Apology, Socrates argued that the "unexamined life is not worth living," but in a world of constant distractions, have we lost touch with this ideal? Is self-examination still essential to living well? Vasilis Politis, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Plato Centre will explore Plato's teachings on self-care and reflect on their relevance for our modern lives. 

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