News and Events

Philosophy @ Calvin—lectures, news and events

Fall 2012 events

Dr. Hallie Liberto (University of Connecticut)
"When Exploitation is Oppression"
Monday, December 3, 2012
3:30 PM
Commons Annex Lecture Hall

Abstract: For an act to be one of wrongful exploitation, there must be something morally problematic about the gain that the exploiter achieves (e.g. the gain is unfair or is motivated by opportunism). One might call this the “Advantage Clause.” In addition, there is some predicament that must characterize the circumstances of the exploited persons (e.g. a condition of desperation or a state of being without options). I will call this the “Vulnerability Clause.” In this talk, I am concerned with the conditions of vulnerability an individual must confront in order that we might ever correctly say that she or he has been wrongfully exploited. I appeal to Marilyn Frye’s account of oppression and propose that the inclusion and exclusion conditions she describes can serve as accurate boundaries for a vulnerability clause within a theory of wrongful exploitation.

Stob Lecture: Professor Lamin Sanneh (Yale University)
"Faith and Citizenship with Reference to Africa: A Comparative Inquiry"
Wednesday and Thursday, November 14-15, 2012
7:30 PM
Calvin Theological Seminary Auditorium

Dr. Peter Railton (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)
"The Affective Dog and Its Rational Tale"
Friday, October 5
3:30 PM
Meeter Center Lecture Hall

Abstract: A paper on "intuitive" moral judgment, also using philosophical and empirical grounds for defending a picture of moral judgment and action in which affect is primary, but in ways that help make thought and action aptly responsive to reasons.

Dr. L. A. Paul (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)
"Is It Rational to Choose to Have a Child?"
Friday, September 28
3:30 PM
Meeter Center Lecture Hall

 

[See the News and Events archive for past Philosophy lectures.]

Recent News

• Fall of 2011 Dr. Alvin Plantinga gave a lecture, "What is Christian Philosophy?" -- listen to that lecture online (.mp3 format) here.
• The Calvin College Undergraduate Philosophy Conference took place April 29-30. See photos of the event here.
• Read about the Third Annual Undergraduate Philosophy Conference as featured in Calvin News.
  
• Philosophers in Human Origins Seminars
  (Click below to listen to audio recordings.)
  • Prof. Smith "Evolution and the Fall: Clarifying the Issues, Imagining the Possibilies."
  • Prof. Clark "God, Chance, and Purpose"

[Check the News and Events archive.]

Undergraduate Philosophy Conference

The 4th Annual Undergraduate Philosophy Conference took place May 4-5, 2012. The two day conference was open to any student at any institution, free of charge. Pleanary speakers were Drs. Jill North and Ted Sider of Cornell University.

The 5th Annual Undergraduate Philosophy Conference will take place in April or May 2013. Details to come.

See photos from the 2011 Undergraduate Conference here.

 

Undergraduate Philosophy Symposium

Symposium, the Philosophy Club, meets on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in Hiemenga Hall 336 and provides students with the opportunity to present and discuss their own papers in philosophy and closely related disciplines.

Check the postings outside the Jellema Room for weekly events.