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June 1-3: The Burman Lectures in Philosophy 2015 (Umeå)

The 2015 Burman Lectures, Umeå University:

PRAGMATISM IN ETHICS: WHY AND HOW

The 2015 Burman Lecturer is Elizabeth Anderson, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and John Dewey Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy and Women's Studies at the Department of Philosophy, University of Michigan. Read more about Professor Anderson.

Abstract: Pragmatism is often loosely characterized as the view that people should adopt “whatever works.” This seems like empty and useless advice, since it omits any substantive criterion of what works. This lecture series will explain what this advice really means, why we ought to follow it, and how we can follow it–even though pragmatists do not supply any substantive criterion of what works. The key to pragmatism lies in its method, which deeply integrates moral with empirical inquiry. I shall explain how it works by undertaking an extended case study of how it did work–in the long process whereby humanity learned that slavery is morally wrong.

Lecture 1: Why Pragmatism?
June 1st at 13.15-15, Humanisthuset, Hörsal F

Lecture 2: How to Be a Pragmatist 1: Correcting Moral Biases
June 2nd at 13.15-15, Humanisthuset, Hörsal F

Lecture 3: How to Be a Pragmatist 2: Experiments in Living
June 3rd at 13.15-15, Humanisthuset, Hörsal F

Please visit the Burman Lectures website for more detailded information about the lectures.

When: June 1 – June 3

Where: Humanisthuset, Lecture hall F, Umeå University