Past Topics
The Philosophical Society has engaged in a wide variety of debates and presentations over the years.
'Plato v. Liberalism'
Debate and Discussion by Yale Weiss and Michael Mullin
Outline: we discussed the arguments for aristocracy and other political arrangements in Plato (specifically, The Republic) and whether or not democracy really is desirable. Themes of autonomy and paternalism visited.
'Eros & The Philosophy of Love'
Presentation by Taylor Enoch & Discussion
Outline: Discussion of Plato's Symposium and the philosophy of love.
'The Role of Logical Analysis in Philosophy of Language'
Presentation by Yale Weiss
Outline: A discussion of what role logical analysis plays in the fundamental questions of philosophy of language. Specifically, how does logic aid in our understanding of meaning, names and reference? Special attention paid to (pre-logic analysis) Mill, (post-logic) Frege, Quine & Kripke.
'Who's the greatest philosopher of the last 200 years?'
Open Discussion
'Ethics and Psychopaths'
Presentation by Mike Mullin
Outline: Psychopaths as moral agents-- problems.
'God?'
Presentation by Adam Cristofich
Outline: A discussion of the new 'horsemen' of atheism, arguments for and against various theism(s).
'Baruch Spinoza: An Exposition'
Presentation by Jack Graham
Outline: An exposition of broad tendencies in the thought of Spinoza.
'Ontological Arguments'
Presentation by Sean Modri
Outline: A discussion of various iterations and objections to the (in)famous ontological argument.
'Plato v. Liberalism'
Debate and Discussion by Yale Weiss and Michael Mullin
Outline: we discussed the arguments for aristocracy and other political arrangements in Plato (specifically, The Republic) and whether or not democracy really is desirable. Themes of autonomy and paternalism visited.
'Eros & The Philosophy of Love'
Presentation by Taylor Enoch & Discussion
Outline: Discussion of Plato's Symposium and the philosophy of love.
'The Role of Logical Analysis in Philosophy of Language'
Presentation by Yale Weiss
Outline: A discussion of what role logical analysis plays in the fundamental questions of philosophy of language. Specifically, how does logic aid in our understanding of meaning, names and reference? Special attention paid to (pre-logic analysis) Mill, (post-logic) Frege, Quine & Kripke.
'Who's the greatest philosopher of the last 200 years?'
Open Discussion
'Ethics and Psychopaths'
Presentation by Mike Mullin
Outline: Psychopaths as moral agents-- problems.
'God?'
Presentation by Adam Cristofich
Outline: A discussion of the new 'horsemen' of atheism, arguments for and against various theism(s).
'Baruch Spinoza: An Exposition'
Presentation by Jack Graham
Outline: An exposition of broad tendencies in the thought of Spinoza.
'Ontological Arguments'
Presentation by Sean Modri
Outline: A discussion of various iterations and objections to the (in)famous ontological argument.