PEA Soup

Chalmers and Naturalism

As everyone knows, David Chalmers argues in The Conscious Mind against materialism and for dualism about phenomenal properties. On this view, conscious experiences are a sui generis feature of the world over and above its physical qualities. Yet, in order to defend his view, Chalmers also argues that his theory is a form of naturalism. What I want to show in this post is that, if Chalmers’s reasons for thinking that he is naturalist are sound, then ‘the dualists’ in metaethics – so far usually called ‘non-naturalists’ – count as naturalists for the very same reasons.

In the News

Today's NY Times includes this story about Charlie Crist, governor of Florida, who will be submitting a petition to the state's clemency board to pardon Jim Morrison for a couple of convictions after a 1969 concert for lewd behavior.  Without commentary (although that shouldn't stop you), I present the Contemplation Quote of the Day: "I’ve decided to do it, for the pure and simple reason that I just think it’s the right thing to do."

Beyster and Kelso Fellowships

Note what is essentially no-strings research money attached to the following fellowships:

Applications for the Beyster Fellowships and the Kelso Fellowships are open to philosophers interested in the philosophical study of broadened ownership,  broad-based capitalism, economic democracy, and democratic capitalism in the corporation and society in the United States. Philosophical explorations of related phenomena such as employee stock ownership, profit sharing, broad-based stock options and their role in social and economic  life  are also welcome. The fellowships will be awarded to  Phd. candidates,  post-doctoral scholars, or  Visiting Professors.  The Fellows may be supported at their home institution or may be in residence at Rutgers University with the period and length of residency varying between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. The fellowship s have a stipend of $25,000 or $12,500  that can be used for research, travel, or living expenses.

 

ISUS XI - Call for Papers

The 11th Conference of the International Society for Utilitarian Studies (ISUS) will be held on 23rd-25th June 2011 at San Romano Conference Centre, Lucca, Italy.  The Conference will be organized by the Department of Economics of the University of Pisa.

Job at Oxford: Ethicists encouraged to apply

Tutorial Fellowship and University Lecturership in Philosophy (Corpus Christi College)

This is to replace John Tasioulas, who has now accepted the Quain Chair in Jurisprudence at University College London.

Reply to Broome

I was recently flattered to learn that John Broome had not only read a recent article of mine ("Headaches, Lives, and Value" in Utilitas from 2009, I think), but had also published a reply in Utilitas for the current issue.  In the spirit of dialog, I thought I might try out a response to his critique here.  Warning: this may be interesting only for those who have looked at my article or looked at Broome's critique.  That category may well be empty.