Centre for Ethics, Philosophy and Public Affairs
This week we are discussing Pamela Hieronymi's ‘Of Metaethics and Motivation: The Appeal of Contractualism’. Here is the abstract: In his 1982 article, T. M. Scanlon noted that, despite the widespread attention to Rawls’ A Theory of Justice, the appeal of contractualism as a moral theory had been under-appreciated. It seems to me that, nearly ... Read more
Title: Two Moralities of Recognition Abstract: According to moralities of recognition, fundamental moral norms are norms for living together. Moral norms explain how living in unity is possible despite being separate individuals, they explain how we can relate to each other as persons that are more than mere sources of benefits and burdens, obstacles and opportunities. ... Read more
We are proud to present the Second Session of Film and Philosophy at CEPPA (aka the CEPPA Film Club). This time we will gather from 4:30pm onwards to watch and discuss Studio Ghibli's absolute classic 'Princess Mononoke' (see trailer here). The movie will start SHARP at 5pm. Please see below for some suggested prereads/prewatches, suggested ... Read more
Location: Edgecliffe G03
Title: Internal Validity, External Validity and the Evaluation of Thought Experiments in Applied Ethics and Political Philosophy Abstract: Thought experiments clearly play a central role in much contemporary ethical theorising. In the recent literature on thought experiments, some commentators (e.g. Wilson 2016; Dowding 2019) have criticised the lack of attention paid by moral philosophers to ... Read more
Location: Edgecliffe G03
Title: Happy Immoralists and Satisfied Loners: A Pragmatic Perspective on Disagreement about Well-being Abstract: Can a morally bad person live well? Can a person without friends achieve well-being? There is long-standing disagreement about the correct answers to these questions. I offer a diagnosis of the debate between those who answer “no” (objectivists about well-being) and ... Read more
Title: Goodness as Natural Perfection. Abstract: In this paper I outline Aristotle’s conception of human functioning, which I take to be a viable and illuminating ground for determining human goods. I then look at alternative schemata for the notion of ‘function’ – ones derived from evolutionary theory – and argue that they are not preferable ... Read more
The brand-new PhiCliSci reading group will discuss Reto Knutti's article ‘Climate Model Confirmation: From Philosophy to Predicting Climate in the Real World’, available here. This will be in Edgecliffe G03, and online. Optional Further Readings for PhiCliSci Reading Group: Hawkins, E., and R. Sutton. 2009. ‘The Potential to Narrow Uncertainty in Regional Climate Predictions’. Bulletin of the American Meteorological ... Read more
Please join us on 31 October (4-5.30pm) for the launch of the Philosophy of Climate Science (PhiCliSci) working group, which will bring together philosophers and climate scientists to discuss central themes relating to the climate crisis. In the first session, climate scientist Graeme MacGilchrist and philosopher Katharina Bernhard will give presentations on the topic of ‘Uncertainty’ in climate science, after ... Read more