PEA Soup

Progressive Consequentialism

Dale Jamieson and Robert Elliot (hereafter J&E) have recently formulated a new version of consequentialism. It’s called ‘progressive consequentialism’ (this is in Philosophical Perspectives 2009). They believe that this view is motivated by the same considerations as the so-called satisficing views whilst not suffering of the same problems. I want to claim that, as the problems of the view which J&E themselves explore show, progressive consequentialism just is a form of satisficing, and thus it suffers from the very same problems. And, if J&E believe that progressive consequentialism can deal with these problems, then so can the satisficers too.

The 2011 Purdue Summer Seminar on Perceptual, Moral, and Religious Skepticism (June 8-24)

Recent PhDs and ABD graduate students in philosophy, theology, psychology, or cognitive science are invited to apply for the 2011 Purdue Summer Seminar on Perceptual, Moral, and Religious Skepticism to be held at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN from June 8^th to June 24^th, 2011.  The seminar will be directed by Michael Bergmann (Purdue) and the guest speakers will be Justin Barrett (Oxford) and Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Duke).

The topics of the seminar are:

 EPISTEMOLOGY: The epistemology of perceptual, moral, and religious belief

SKEPTICISM: Responses to skepticism about perceptual, moral, and religious belief

DISAGREEMENT: Moral and religious disagreement as grounds for unbelief

EVOLUTION: Evolutionary accounts of moral and religious belief as reasons for skepticism

Participants will receive a stipend of $5,000 from which they will pay for their travel, food, and lodging. The deadline for receipt of applications is December 1, 2010.  For more information, including information on how to apply, go to: http://www.knowinginreligionandmorality.com/seminar.html.

This seminar is funded by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

PEA Soup TV

HERE IS A LINK to a video dialogue between two PEA Soupers, Jamie Dreier and Mark Schroeder. This is on the recently launched online 'Philosophy TV ' channel. The topic of the discussion is metaethical contextualism, expressivism, and relativism. It's all very helpful, clear, and interesting. Actually, they did incredibly well given that this is one over hour long discussion with no cuts or anything. Thanks to Sven Nyholm for sharing this link.

Best Fellowship Ever

Or so I believe, having been fortunate enough to do it in 2007-2008.  The Murphy Institute's Center for Ethics and Public Affairs has posted the announcement for its 2011-2012 Faculty Fellowships here.  Applications due by November 15, 2010.  Keep in mind that next year's fellows will have a front row seat at the inaugural New Orleans Workshop on Agency and Responsibility (NO WAR) next November.