Freedom - Philosophical explorations
Description
This is also the fourth meeting of the annual theme "Philosophy, Technology and Philosophy".
The theme "Philosophy, Technology and Philosophy" will be presented by special professors of the Thomas More Foundation at various public Dutch Universities. For further information, e-mail a.j.lutz@hccnet.nl. On the part of the Thomas More Foundation, the programme will be coordinated by Drs S.J.M. Waanders. Website: http://www.radboudstichting.nl/
Freedom - philosophical explorations around a multifaceted and problematic concept
The 'freedom of the will' is today under strong pressure from findings from neuroscience. For example, experiments by Benjamin Libet suggest that the brain makes a decision even before we do so ourselves (an otherwise very dualistic saying), which seems to rule out a freedom of the will.
However, it is not only contemporary neuroscience that gives reason to think about (free) will and determinism/necessity. Thomas Aquinas (13th century) already points to an important connection between will and necessity, and Luther fervently contests the free will. Many philosophers (Kant, Frankfurt, Dennett) also know a much less naive concept of freedom than is suggested from neuroscientific quarters.
Case, then, for rethinking that non-naive concept of freedom. We reflect on the relations between freedom, determinism and coercion; and on the question of the impossibility or necessity of a ground of freedom, so passionately rejected by Sartre.
SPECIALITIES
The hall is open from 6.30 pm for free coffee or tea and a friendly chat.
Given the interest in the subject, potential interested parties other than from the Philosophy & Technology Department are also invited. However, the room capacity is limited to 30 places.
Due to this limited room capacity, I would ask you to pass on registrations of participation until Tuesday 21 September at the latest.
Please make the effort to attend an evening of the Philosophy and Engineering Department, or bring an interested person along!
We hope to see you there!
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
From Utrecht CS station hall, walk the entire passage through Hoog Catharijne towards the city centre. When you arrive at the square, the Vredenburg 19 meeting centre is on your left, above C & A. When you get down, walk diagonally left along the walls of the building site, the square and the street (Vredenburg) have to be crossed. On the ground floor, there is only an entrance hall with lifts and a notice board with the hall number, to the left of the C & A windows, next to the shoe shop Breugel.
Parking facilities include NH hotels
Speaker(s)
Palmyre Oomen is a graduate in biology, theology and philosophy, with a PhD in philosophical-theological studies on A.N. Whitehead.
She is associate professor of Philosophy due to the Thomas More Foundation at Eindhoven University of Technology.
She is also senior researcher of the Heyendaal Program on Theology and Science at the Faculty of Theology, Radboud University Nijmegen
Location
Utrecht
Organiser
Philosophy & Technology
Name and contact details for information
Further information from drs.ing. Henk Uijttenhout (vz), tel: 070 - 3875293 / 06 - 42505844 or via the e-mail address below