Category: Events

Skeptics Conference Presentation

Saving the Paranormal from the Laws of Science

Skeptics Conference 2008, Waikato Diocesan College, 660 River Rd, Hamilton, Saturday the 27th of September

It is generally recognised that theoretical reasoning allows us to generate a lot of beliefs about the world, but some people take what can be called the ‘strong’ version of the argument from theoretical reasoning that argues that our theories of the world, as espoused by the Natural Sciences, allow us to come up with a complete, veridical account of the way the world works. Such accounts tend to deny the existence of entities and processes called ‘Paranormal.’ In this session, based upon a recent paper of mine published in ‘The Skeptic’ (‘The Curious Case of Freeman Dyson and the Paranormal, Vol. 14, No. 2) I will argue that it is not clear that we should be reductionists in respect to the paranormal because neither methodological nor epistemic reductionism rules out of court theories that contain paranormal entities or processes.

07/19/2008

Dentith Files, 95 bFM

I am still in the land of sporadic internets. My planned post on Petty Psychologies is currently on hold until such time that I can sit in front of an internet for more than a few minutes at a time.

Since I can’t guarantee a posting come Sunday I’ll say in advance that I interviewed Dr. Charles Pigden, of the University of Otago’s Department of Philosophy, last Monday as a pre-record. Charles has written three articles on Conspiracy Theories and can be said to have kickstarted the current philosophical interest in the material with his ‘Popper Revisited, Or What is Wrong with Conspiracy Theories.’ The interview was great fun and it’s filled with the philosophical goodnesses. Listen along; I know I will be.

05/29/2008

CCE (UoA) – Conspiracy Theories: Philosophy and Critical Thinking

Class Number: 77961

When: 6 sessions, Wednesday 23 July – 27 August, 10am – 12pm

Where: Room 218, Level 2, Building No. 810, 1 – 11 Short Street

Fee (GST incl): $117.00 (International Fee (GST incl): $195.80)

Class Limit: 18

Course Description: Some people think that Philosophy is all abstract thinking. However critical thinking is a set of philosophical tools that allow you to make informed and well-reasoned arguments towards particular viewpoints. In this course you will look at the application of philosophy to conspiracy theories, ranging from the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays, to the Da Vinci Code itself and to the North Head tunnels conspiracy. Through the application of critical thinking skills to the content of these theories you will experience first-hand the practical application of philosophy to everyday life.

(More information available here)

05/07/2008

Mini-seminar on Conspiracy Theories

As the convenor of the Wednesday Graduate Seminar series at the University of Auckland’s Department of Philosophy I’m contributing a short twenty minute paper on Conspiracy Theories on the 9th of April, 4pm in the Fisher Building, Level 2, Room 202, 18 Waterloo Quadrant.

The abstract follows:

I think it would be fair to say that most commentators treat co-conspirators as, in part, perfectly rational agents aware of the reach and morality of their plans (if not sufficiently omniscient to know how successful their plot will be). Yet a lot of recent Conspiracy Theories do not make that assumption and focus rather on the co-conspirators acting malevolently without necessarily realising it. Indeed the historical record shows this is usually the case. Have we mischaracterised co-conspirators and thus what the Inference to Conspiracy Theory entails to a believer? Does our scepticism apply to a view few actually hold?

03/26/2008

Critical Thinking

(Taught through the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Auckland)

Class Number: 57782

When: 6 sessions, Wednesday 12 March – 16 April, 6.30 – 8.30pm

Where: Room 13, Commerce A Bldg No. 114, 3A Symonds Street

Fee (GST incl): $121.50 [International Fee (GST incl): $200.20]

Class Limit: 25

Course Description: Critical thinking is a skill we all like to think we have, but how often have you found yourself wondering just how critical your reasoning is? In this course we will uncover many of the basic skills a good thinker requires and then put them to use in analysing arguments you might come across in newspapers, on television and in everyday conversation.

02/12/2008

The 95bFM Gig

Starting this Sunday at about eleven is my fortnightly Conspiracy Theories catchup with Simon Pound on Auckland’s 95bFM. If there’s anything you want me to talk about, well, comment or send me an e-mail.

02/07/2008