We rarely get the chance to meet our heroes but, on Wednesday 5 February, four brilliant women philosophers leapt from the pages of the A level textbooks and came to Canons for our 12th annual Philosophy Conference.
NLCS students were joined by sixth formers from Berkhamsted, Bentley Wood, QE Boys, Habs, Magdalen College School, Henrietta Barnett and UCL Academy.
The interaction between the students and the philosophers, as well as with representatives of other schools, is always enlightening. Getting to ask questions, debate, respectfully disagree and learn from each other whilst thinking critically, are the hallmarks of good philosophy. Some of our students got to have lunch with the philosophers themselves, whilst others asked students from other schools about their views on the mind, free will and the origins of the universe.
We heard about the ‘Metaphysics of Race,’ from Sailee Khurjekar, ONL and PhD student from Birkbeck College. This discussion looked at the various definitions of race, its functions as a concept in affirmative action and the interpretation of history and the way in which it might become redundant in a truly ‘race-blind’ society.
We then had a talk about the weird and wonderful theory of ‘Panpsychism,’ which has growing popularity, despite it’s fantastical claims. It is a theory of mind which postulates the surprising idea that consciousness is a fundamental constituent of the universe, woven into the very fabric of matter. Panpsychism draws on ideas in Quantum Physics but is also responding to the difficulties faced by the traditional alternatives of Dualism and Physicalism. Not all were convinced by Laura Gow’s presentation of the theory but an interesting discussion ensued and we are grateful to Laura who came from the University of Liverpool.
Ellie Robson has lectured in Oxford and currently is at Kings College London. She introduced us to the work of Mary Midgely, who is philosopher who drew moral lessons from our ‘beastly’ natures, as members of the animal kingdom. Known for her stinging attacks on Richard Dawkins and the theory of the ‘selfish gene,’ Midgely argues that we humans are animals but that, far from making us selfish, this fact should encourage us to look for moral lessons in the animal kingdom.
Lastly, we heard from Rachel Cristy (KCL) on William James, Nietzsche and Scientism. Drawing on both philosophers, Rachel provided some powerful arguments against the idea that science explains everything.
James Holt, Head of RSP
