Philosophy and Social Media: The Good, the Bad, and the Future

Gen Eickers (Universität Osnabrück), Joe Saunders (Durham University), Natalie Alana Ashton (University of Stirling)

Philosophy and Social Media: The Good, the Bad, and the Future

Social media play a significant role in the life of many people. For example, through these platforms we can not only connect and stay in touch with each other, but also acquire information and learn new things, create communities, and organise in support of the causes we care about. However, the use of social media also raises significant challenges concerning, among others, the disclosure of personal information, fake news, exposure to hostility and abuse, and pressures on mental health.

This online event explores how philosophical ideas can help us to better understand and re-imagine social media use. In particular, through a conversation with philosophers with expertise in the ethics, epistemology, and lived experience of digital technology, we will discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of engaging with these platforms, thinking also about how this could be transformed in the future.

Panel Members:

Dr Gen Eickers (University of Osnabrück)

Dr Joe Saunders (Durham University)

Dr Natalie Ashton (Vrije University Amsterdam)

Moderator:

Dr Anna Bortolan (Swansea University)

This event is organised by the Philosophy Research Group at Swansea University as a Local Partner of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and is open to the public.

Registration

The event will be held online as a Zoom Webinar. Attendance is free but registration is required. To register, please click on the following link: 

https://swanseauniversity.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B9UOKmwhR--um4WBpnicbA

Information

For questions about the event, please contact the organiser, Anna Bortolan [[email protected]]