February 2023
Speaker Series: Gina Schouten (Harvard University)
Title: Liberal Feminism, Social Critique, and Moral Methodology: What Can Reflective Equilibrium Accomplish? Abstract: This paper brings together two strands of opposition to liberalism: First is the substantive strand, concerning liberalism’s feminist, anti-racist, and egalitarian credentials. Second is the methodological strand, concerning liberalism’s method of moral justification, reflective equilibrium. In response to the substantive strand of opposition to liberalism, left-liberal feminists have argued that, properly understood, liberal values entail a deep critique of sexism, racism, and economic inequality, and…
Find out more »Philosophy in 15 Minutes
Join the UNC Philosophy department for a series of short presentations on intriguing Philosophical ideas. Refreshments provided after the event. Program (1) Welcome and Introduction: Matt Kotzen (Host) (2) Willow Yang: Introducing the PPE program (3) Markus Kohl (15 Minutes Presentation): Nietzsche on Nihilism Nietzsche writes: "The sight of the human being now makes us weary—what is nihilism today if it is not that?—We are weary of humanity.” But what exactly makes us weary of humanity? And, how does…
Find out more »March 2023
PPE Speaker Series: “Unhoused and Unrecognized: Thinking Through the Wrong of Homelessness” with Paul Schofield
Abstract: It is tempting to think homelessness is unjust simply because it involves a grossly inequitable distribution of resources–some have so much while others lack something so basic as a stable dwelling, and this seems unfair. I want to convince you that the wrong of homelessness consists in more than this, however. Those experiencing homelessness aren’t just treated unfairly, but are denied recognition as citizens, as members of civil society, and as persons. As such, the wrong they suffer consists…
Find out more »Balter Lecture: Myisha Cherry
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Find out more »April 2023
PPE Speaker Series: “Why is Manipulation Wrong?” with Massimo Renzo
Abstract: The notion of manipulation is increasingly invoked in relation to pressing issues discussed in the news and in public discourse. Consider, for example, the heated debates on how propaganda and misinformation have been recently used to lead people to question the results of democratic elections. Or the (more sober) discussions of whether governments are permitted to “nudge” their citizens toward beneficial behaviour in ways that seem to bypass their capacity to choose. Running through these debates is the idea…
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