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Lecture #1: “If We Can, Should We? Thoughts on Some Key Ideas” Presenter: (William) John Koolage, History/Philosophy Should I get a college degree? I am capable of doing so, but should I? At first blush, the answers to these questions seem entirely dependent on the desires of the person asking the question. However, aren't they also dependent on what kind of life is available to you if you do or do not get a degree? That is, aren't we responsible (in terms of what we should do) to facts beyond just our own desires? Philosophy provides us with a framework for understanding the concepts related and contained in the idea "the thing I should do." Further, philosophy provides us with some tools for understanding the relationship between what you can do and what you should do. In this talk, I will explore a cluster of concepts that help us to understand and parse the questions above and similar questions, including, but not limited to, theories of ethics, theories of well being, anti-skepticism with respect to morality, and Plato's notion that "the unexamined life is not worth living."

Contact:

• Rebecca Sipe
• Phone: 734.717.8483
• Email: rebecca.sipe@emich.edu
• Fax: 734.487.0793

Cost: Free

Open to the public

LBC Approved: Yes