Social Metaphysics

Social Metaphysics will explore the use of metaphysical theories and techniques to investigate questions in social and political philosophy, with a particular focus on race and gender. How should we understand such concepts? Are they grounded in objective features of the world, and if so, how? More generally, how should we understand ‘social construction’? What light can the metaphysical concept of grounding shed on the matter?

The workshop will feature talks on these topics from Brian Epstein (Tufts), Boo Jackson (Nottingham), Neil Sinhababu (Singapore), and Aness Webster (Nottingham), with responses from Kash Sunghuttee (Birmingham), as well as a roundtable discussion covering these topics, lead by the workshop speakers and respondents.

Programme

Monday 20th March, Room B2 Hemsley

1.30pm Coffee

1.45pm Welcome

2–4pm Brian Epstein, ‘A-Framework-for-Social-Ontology’

Response: Katherine Jenkins

4–4.30pm Break

4.30–5.45pm Boo Jackson, ‘Haslangerian Genders and Temporal Ontology’

Followed by drinks in the Hemsley bar (on campus) and workshop meal (off campus)

Tuesday 21st March, 9am–3pm, Room B2 Hemsley

10.15am–12: Neil Sinhababu, 'In defense of partisanship'

Response: Kash Sunghuttee

12–1.30pm: Lunch

1.30–2.45pm: Aness Webster, ‘What's Bad about Casual Racism’

Highfield house A09

3.15–5.15pm: Roundtable discussion

Followed by drinks in the Hemsley bar (on campus)

The event is free, but please register (which you can do on this page).