Walk along any city street and you'll be confronted by philosophical topics, whether you realise it or not. This one-day course/workshop in central London is a chance to learn about and discuss a range of philosophical topics that arise quite naturally from everyday life.
The event is led by Nigel Warburton (interviewer for the popular Philosophy Bites podcast and author of A Little History of Philosophy, Philosophy: the Basics, Thinking from A to Z, and many other books...including a forthcoming book Street Philosophy).
No prior knowledge of philosophy assumed. Small group discussions. Maximum class size 20.
Saturday 21st June 10-30am - 4.15 pm (doors open from 10 am).
Venue: 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW (a short walk from Great Portland Street and Oxford Circus tube stations).
Comments on a previous workshop:
'Absolutely superb day. I can't recommend it highly enough. Fantastic!'
'Thank you for a thought-provoking day. We loved it and can't stop talking about it"
'Thanks to @philosophybites for putting on such an engaging day'
'What a great way to spend my Saturday.'
'Thanks Nigel for a very enjoyable and informative day'
Programme
10am doors open
10.30 am - 11.30 am Driving and Moral Luck. If a drunk driver through good fortune manages to get home without knocking a cyclist over we judge him or her differently from a reckless driver who kills a cyclist. But should we? It may be luck whether or not the driver hits a cyclist, and then whether or not the cyclist survives the collision. What does this show about our concepts of blame and responsibility?
11.45am - 12.45 pm Street Art. What makes a Banksy a work of art? What does it mean to call it 'art'? Is the artworld right to charge such high prices for a genuine Banksy? If someone makes a copy of Banksy's stencil and sprays a few more copies of the work, are they art too? Can any mark on any wall be art?
12.45 - 2pm lunch (not provided, but there are numerous excellent cafés and restaurants nearby)
2pm - 3pm Rich and Poor. Rich and poor pass each other daily on city streets, but is it right that such significant wealth inequalities exist? Would they exist in a just society?
3.15 - 4.15pm Street Surveillance. Street surveillance is the norm in the UK, whether by the state using CCTV or by our fellow citizens with cameraphones, and soon with Googleglass. Should we care that we are being recorded?
Booking.
Price for Street Philosophy one-day workshop 21/6/14 = £60 (concessions: students, OAPs, unemployed £50).
NB All tickets booked in advance use concession price of £50
Comments