WORKSHOP WITH MARY MIDGLEY

WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY FOR?

Part of ‘The Difference of Philosophy’ Series

We are pleased to announce a workshop with acclaimed British moral philosopher Dr. Mary Midgley titled ‘What is Philosophy for?’

The workshop will consist of a paper by Dr. Midgley and a response by Dr. Rachael Wiseman (Durham University). This will be followed by a round table discussion regarding the role and definition of philosophy which all attendees are encouraged to take part in. The workshop will take place on Saturday 27th February 09.30-12.30 at the Great North (Hancock) Museum, Newcastle. Attendance and participation is free but space is limited. To reserve a place please email 

The Difference of Philosophy

The workshop forms part of the series ‘The Difference of Philosophy’ which investigates the role and responsibility of philosophy in contemporary society. The project founders are Lisa Foran (Newcastle University), Martin Grünfeld (University College Dublin) and Rozemund Uljée (Leiden University). The first workshop ‘Response and Responsibility’ with Judith Butler and Jason Stanley can be viewed here.

Bios

In her numerous books and articles Midgleychallenges a reductive view of the human experience that seeks to explain everything through a rigid materialism. In works such as Evolution as a Religion (1985), Science as Salvation (1992 – the 1990 Edinburgh Gifford Lectures), Science and Poetry (2001), and most recently, Are you an Illusion? (2014); Midgley attacks what she terms ‘scientism’ – a faith in scientific explanation that is close to religious. FormerlySenior Lecturer in Philosophy at Newcastle University, Midgley is now retired from teaching but continues to be a prolific author. She is a frequent contributor to The Guardian and is currently writing a book titled: What is Philosophy For? Her autobiography, The Owl of Minerva, was published by Routledge in 2005.

Dr. Rachael Wiseman is Addison Wheeler Research Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies, Durham University. She is author of The Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Anscombe’s Intention (2016) and co-founder of The Integrity Project – a multi-disciplinary project looking at the meaning and value of integrity.