Philosophy Matters: Reasons, Evidence, Faith and the Ethics of Belief

PNW professor David Detmer will present a philosophical take on the ethics of belief and how the topic is relevant in modern-day America.

Some philosophers, including David Hume, W. K. Clifford, and Bertrand Russell, defend evidentialism—the thesis that beliefs are unjustified if they are not adequately supported by evidence. Other philosophers, including Blaise Pascal, Soren Kierkegaard, and William James, defend faith—defined here as the voluntary choice to hold beliefs that go beyond what would be warranted by a rational appraisal of the relevant evidence.

This talk explores this issue, focusing especially on its political significance in contemporary America.

Location

CLO 140

This event fulfills part of the Civics Event Pathway option for PNW’s Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement.

To request a disability-related accommodation, please contact the Office of Institutional Equity at oie@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2163 five days prior to the event.

In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University’s educational programs, services, and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. See Purdue’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of Institutional Equity at oie@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2337.