Number 96 : April 1999 |
New Members
As usual, we welcome our new members to the SIG. Eleven new members this time, so welcome to :-
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One of the above (Gwen) remarks (probably not for publication, but why not ?) "I see your trained philosophers exert a stern discipline over those, who, like me, merely have a philosophical turn of mind ! I shall look forward to reading and taking part in some challenging discussions". Well, we aren’t trained, but we do like a good argument ! I hope this openness isn’t putting anyone off entering the fray. And would all seasoned participants please note that the ad hominem banter that occasionally goes on can act as a deterrent to some (though not to Gwen, it seems !), to the detriment of us all.
PDG Conference
Since the last edition of Commensal, the volunteers have started to come forward for the various slots in the agenda. Nothing is finalised yet, and if more people wish to speak than we have slots for, we’ll sort all this out in the introductory session. I was down to speak twice, but have decided to jettison the "Consciousness" talk on account of my lack of expertise. I’m still going to the KCL Conference & will be able to update people informally on that if anyone’s interested.
Michael Nisbet has volunteered for the "Freewill" end of the Great Debate, in default of anyone else being fired up so to do. Roger Farnworth, Michael’s opponent in the debate, has volunteered to expatiate further on the topic of The Meaning of Life without Beliefs (see later in this issue of Commensal) if there is a free slot. Well, there is at the moment, so be prepared, Roger !
Dr. Alan Edmonds has agreed to take the Philosophy of Science session, possibly with the thesis that physical laws (going back at least to Newton) are rules for predicting the outcome of experiments and do not necessarily give any insight into the nature of reality, whatever that is. Oh well, there’s the cat out of the bag.
I’ve received a ‘phone call and numerous follow-up emails from Dr. Frank Luger, an ISPE & Mensa member from Budapest, who wishes to speak on Scientific Theosophy & Ethics.
Dr. Leslie Haddow is keen to follow up on loose ends from the previous Braziers conference on Crime, Punishment & Society. Apparently he feels his ideas got an inadequate pasting last outing. Well, we’ll see what we can do about that !
Alan Mayne has volunteered to deliver two talks, but is agreeable to doing whatever is appropriate in the time allowed. Coming to think of it, his first subject From Personal Ethics to Global Ethics might find a home in the 24-26 September Braziers conference on Globalisation being organised by Jane Benn (more of which next time !).
Finally, Malcolm Burn is willing to let us have brief thoughts on whether or not omnipotence and omniscience are mutually exclusive.
Last I heard, there were 16 definite attendees, with a couple of ISPE members coming for the day on Saturday, so there’s still room for more.
Hence, the provisional schedule looks something like this, somewhat re-jigged from last time :-
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Friday |
07/05/99 |
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18:00 - 19:30 |
Arrive |
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19:45 |
Supper |
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21:00 |
Introduction "in the round" ; plan the weekend |
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21:30 |
Debate on Determinism or Freewill (Roger Farnworth and Michael Nisbet, respectively) |
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Saturday |
08/05/99 |
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08:30 |
Breakfast |
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09:45 |
Talk & Discussion: Is it Rational to be Religious ? (Theo Todman) |
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11:00 |
Coffee |
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11:30 - 12:45 |
Talk and Discussion : Philosophy of Science (Dr. Alan Edmonds) |
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13:00 |
Lunch |
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Afternoon |
Free (including ISPE & (possibly) PDG sub-meetings) |
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16:15 |
Tea |
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16:45 - 17:30 |
Talk and Discussion : The Meaning of Life Without Beliefs (Roger Farnworth) |
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17:30 - 18:45 |
Talk & Discussion: Scientific Theosophy & Ethics (Dr. Frank Luger) |
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19:00 |
Supper |
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20:00 |
Informal Discussion (Pub, Lounge, ...) |
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Sunday |
09/05/99 |
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08:30 |
Breakfast |
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09:45 |
Talk and Discussion: From Personal Ethics to Global Ethics and / or Towards a Unified Practical Philosophy (Alan Mayne) |
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11:00 |
Coffee |
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11:30 |
Quick Talk & Discussion : Are Omniscience & Omnipotence Mutually Exclusive (Malcolm Burn) |
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11:45 - 12:45 |
Talk and Discussion : Crime, Punishment & Society (Dr. Leslie Haddow) |
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13:00 |
Lunch |
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14:00 |
Planning next year’s Conference |
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14:30 |
Departure |
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Notes |
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1. |
The programme makes provision for plenty of spare time for informal discussion in the pub, at meals or in the lounge. |
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2. |
Roger Farnworth will arrive at 17:00 on the Friday and meet all guests as they arrive & show them to their rooms. I intend to be there even earlier, but am notoriously late and a bad keeper of promises, so I’m not making any ! |
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At Friday’s introductory session we will encourage flexibility throughout, and seek to have each session chaired by a different volunteer if that’s deemed to be a good idea (otherwise Roger & I will share the job). |
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4. |
The gourmands amongst you will be pleased to note that the lack of supper on the Saturday night in last time’s draft programme was a typing oversight on my part and has been reinstated in the programme above ! |
PDG Conference Administrative Details
I repeat here some details from previous issues of Commensal. The conference is to be held at Braziers College, Ipsden, Wallingford, Oxon., OX10 6AN, over Friday - Sunday, 7th-9th May 1999. Braziers College was founded in 1950 as the Braziers School of Integrated Social Research to study practical ways of living in a group. It now operates partly as a community and partly as an adult education college. It has a country-house atmosphere, and is situated in its own attractive grounds in the Chiltern countryside. The full fee, including accommodation and catering, is £92, and early booking is advisable. Apply for further details to the College at the above address (Tel: 01491 680221). A deposit of £20 is payable. Please book directly with the College - I will keep in touch with them periodically to see how things are going. Partners, whether Mensans or not, are welcome.
Next Issue of Commensal
15th May 1999 is the closing date for contributions to June 1999’s Commensal (C97). It is hoped that it will contain write-ups of some, at least, of the Braziers talks (speakers please note !), but let this not put the rest of you off your stroke.
Best wishes,
Theo