Annual colloquium series explores philosophical research and questions

The 9th annual Philosophy Colloquium series, which provides a forum for the presentation and critique of philosophy and philosophy-related works, is underway through December 5.

“Faculty presenters are able to get feedback on their ideas while others in attendance are able to learn about their colleagues’ research, explore areas of philosophy outside of their own research and further develop their thinking on issues under discussion,” said Andrew Spear, associate professor of epistemology and metaphysics in Grand Valley’s philosophy department.

All Colloquium Series presentations will take place in Mackinac Hall, room BLL-110 from 3-4 p.m.

Friday, October 3
“Kant’s Critique of Sublimity”
Presented by Rachel Zuckert, associate professor of philosophy at Northwestern University

Friday, October 31
Title: TBA
Presented by Ronald Loeffler, associate professor of philosophy at Grand Valley

Friday, November 7
“A Reply to Hettinger on the Aesthetic Value of Predation”
Presented by Beth Seacord, assistant professor of philosophy at Grand Valley

Friday, November 14
“Artistotle on Say-What-You-Believe”
Presented by David Crane, assistant professor of classics at Grand Valley

Friday, November 21
“Goodness is Meant in Many Ways”
Presented by Christopher Shields, professor of philosophy at University of Notre Dame

Friday, December 5
Title: TBA
Presented by Azfar Hussain, associate professor of liberal studies at Grand Valley

Spear said the presentations are formatted in a way that encourages anyone to attend.

“Presenters generally do not assume huge amounts of background knowledge and they normally take some time to explain the big picture before diving into their particular argument, analysis or discussion,” said Spear.

In recent years, the series has brought in scholars to present on topics such as the philosophy of cosmology, environmental ethics, the nature of knowledge, the philosophy of art and the implications of research in empirical psychology.

For more information about the Colloquium Series, contact Andrew Spear at [email protected].