Jacksonville Public Philosophy Workshops at Chamblin's Uptown!

[Purplebike]

Next session:

Topic: “Confronting Your Inner Confabulator”
Facilitator: Scott Kimbrough, Professor of Philosophy, Jacksonville University
Webpage: http://users.ju.edu/skimbro/index.html
Date: September 17, 2011
Day / time: Saturday, 5 - 7 pm
Where: Chamblin's Uptown

Much of Western philosophy since Descartes begins by privileging the perspective of the conscious subject. However, recent work in empirical psychology presents a serious challenge to our self-conception as rational agents who act on the basis of consciously accessible reasons.

According to “dual process psychology,” most of our behavior, including our judgments, is caused by relatively automatic, lower-level processes such as emotional reactions, and our conscious representation of ourselves is often no better than a “confabulation” made after the fact to rationalize our actions to ourselves. In other words, what we consciously understand as our reasons are typically not the real causes of our actions.

In this workshop, we will discuss the philosophical implications of dual process psychology for our understanding of ourselves as rational agents, focusing on the topics of free will and moral reasoning. Does dual process psychology lead to skeptical conclusions about free will and our status as genuine moral agents? Or can it rather be taken to teach us about the psychological mechanisms that enable us to achieve freedom and moral agency?

No prior reading or philosophical background is necessary to participate. But if you would like to read about one of the theories that will be discussed, you are welcome to take a look at Jonathan Haidt’s paper “The Emotional Dog and Its Rational Tail,” available on-line at https://motherjones.com/files/emotional_dog_and_rational_tail.pdf. 

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Jacksonville Public Philosophy Workshops (JPPW) is an ongoing series of informal, interactive workshop sessions lead by educators / scholars / professionals working in different areas of Philosophy. JPPW's mission is introducing philosophical problems, concepts, and methodologies to the larger community.

Sessions are free! Open to the public!

Seating is limited to about 40 people tops, though, which has come to mean that RSVPs are required (RSVPs have filled the last two sessions). Please join the group through Meetup.com, and RSVP there if you would like to join us.

http://www.meetup.com/Jacksonville-Public-Philosophy-Workshops/

Ron and Jennifer at Chamblin's have been super generous and welcoming in letting us host these in the cafe; I don't want to wear out our welcome by crowding the place. Thanks for understanding.

I hope to see you at a future session!

~ Karla