Sydney Writers' Festival 2009 - Online Program

Please note all these events have been completed.

Philosophy in Sydney
Event 154		print Print This Page
Sydney began as an Enlightenment philosophical experiment on the reform of criminals. Since then, Sydney philosophers have developed visions of the world and society meant to tell us "who we really are". Philosophy in Sydney, especially since the long mid-20th century dominance of John Anderson, has had a distinct tone that sets it apart from the mainstream of philosophy elsewhere. It has been typically realist (as opposed to favouring mental or social ‘constructions’), sceptical of ‘deep’ but confused ideas, and interested in scientific thought. James Franklin surveys the lively personalities, significant ideas and pervasive influence of philosophy in Sydney.

Presented with the School of Philosophy, Monash University.

Lecture  |  Nonfiction, History
Participants
James Franklin

When
Friday, May 22 2009
10:30 - 11:30

Where
Sydney Dance Company, Studio 1
Pier 4/5, Hickson Road
Walsh Bay
 Venue and Transport Info

Cost
Free

Schedule
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JAMES FRANKLIN (LOCAL)
JAMES FRANKLIN is a philosopher, mathematician and historian of ideas. He completed his PhD on algebraic groups in 1981 at the University of Warwick, and since then he has taught in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at UNSW. James is the author of Proof in Mathematics, The Science of Conjecture: Evidence and Probability Before Pascal, Corrupting the Youth: A History of Philosophy in Australia, Catholic Values and Australian Realities and What Science Knows. He received the 2005 Eureka Prize for Research in Ethics for work on the objectivity of mathematics and ethics. He is the founder of the 'Sydney School’ in the philosophy of mathematics and of the 'Restraint project’ on the virtue of temperance in Australian life. In 2008 he set up the Australian Database of Indigenous Violence.