Philosophy Workshop On Human Goodness:
"Dependence and development: natural goodness and the space of reasons"
This Friday December 5th, 3.15, Education 120

The vision of a hawk is evaluated in light of how the eyesight of birds of prey contributes to satisfying their natural ends, such as individual survival. The characteristic way that vision enables hawks to live, by identifying and tracking the appropriate prey with accuracy from a great height, sets the standard for evaluating the eyesight of this particular hawk.

Can humans be evaluated in a similar way? Do we have virtues that enable us to pursue our ends in the same way that vision helps a hawk? What would be the proper ends of human life? Some philosophers (neo-Aristotelian ones) suggest they are a matter of individual survival, continuance of its species, characteristic enjoyment of pleasures and freedom from pain, and the proper functioning of a social group. Other philosophers think this "botanical and ethological model of evaluation" breaks down when it comes to humans.

Come discuss these issues in a forum that will be very welcoming to philosophical newcomers and pros alike.

Our special guest will be Professor Allen Thompson from Clemson University. He will begin the session by giving a brief presentation of his work on these subjects titled "Dependence and development: natural goodness and the space of reasons".

This presentation will raise the questions that we can then discuss together. Come see how interesting philosophy can be!

Please email if you would like copies of Dr. Thompson's written work on these topics.

Dr. Jennifer Baker
College of Charleston
BakerJA@cofc.edu