Inaugural lecture: Professor Matthew Chrisman

Professor Matthew Chrisman, Personal Chair of Ethics and Epistemology will give his Inaugural Lecture "Thinking for ourselves: Normativity, autonomy and the democratic intellect".

Abstract: In this lecture, I will present an overview of my work, with reference to three important Edinburgh philosophers. First, citing David Hume, I will explain my research on normative language, especially the meaning of ‘ought’. Then, with reference to Norman Kemp Smith (and Immanuel Kant), I will explain a puzzle I am currently working on. This puzzle concerns the tension between the apparent involuntariness of most belief formation and the fact that we academics often claim that people ought to think for themselves and indeed educate our students with the aim of fostering independent critical thought. I suspect this puzzle can be addressed by taking a more social approach to epistemology than is typical in philosophy. So finally with reference to George Davie I will discuss the concept of a "democratic intellect" as a unit of evaluation where it might make most sense to think of people as capable of thinking for themselves.

The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.  

Event registration

RSVP to the School Office by emailing ppls.schooloffice@ed.ac.uk to confirm your attendance.

Further information

Matthew Chrisman