Event Details

A monthly philosophy discussion group sponsored by the Royal Institute of Philosophy.

This is an informal discussion group that is open to all. No prior knowledge of philosophy required.

This week we'll be asking whether there are any limits to the scope of philosophical enquiry.

The philosopher, Eric Schwitzgebel, thinks that it's possible to ask philosophical questions about anything whatsoever. For example, he thinks there could be a philosophy of haircuts (core questions would include: 'What is a haircut, really? How much does it depend on the intent of the hairdresser? What makes a haircut good or bad? For example, must it please its bearer? Is it relative to fashion, and if so how locally? How, if at all, can we settle disputes about the quality of a haircut?').

We'll consider whether Schwitzgebel is correct, or whether there are some topics too banal for philosophical investigation.

If anyone would like to read Schwitzgebel's blogpost 'For all X there is a philosophy of x..' it can be found here

https://schwitzsplinters.blogspot.com/2012/01/for-all-x-theres-philosophy-of-x.html