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Returning for 2025, the popular Philosophy Today public lecture series explores how philosophy engages with the challenges of the modern world. Through six thought-provoking talks followed by interactive Q&A sessions, Trinity College Dublin’s philosophers share insights from their latest research, connecting philosophical ideas to some of today’s most pressing issues.
Dates: Starts Thursday 6 February 2025 and continues every second Thursday for six weeks.
Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Location: JM Synge Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin.
Cost: €80 for the entire series (6 lectures). A concessionary rate of €40 applies to: students, OAPs, unemployed, groups of 20+, TCD staff and graduates.
Please note, due to the interactive nature of each session, including live Q&A, the Philosophy Today series will only be available for in-person attendance and will not be offered online.
Thursday, 6th February 2025 | Dr Farbod Akhlaghi
'Relatively Civilised, Relatively European’: Journalism and Moral Misinformation
What ethical responsibilities should guide journalists when reporting on crises? The 2022 Ukraine crisis highlighted a troubling trend in media descriptions of refugees, raising questions about ethics in journalism. Farbod Akhlaghi, whose work focuses on moral philosophy, will examine the responsibilities journalists have to avoid spreading moral misinformation.
Thursday, 20th February 2025 | Professor Lilian Alweiss
War and Peace
Is it ever morally justifiable to kill in war? While some argue that war can be justified under certain conditions- such as self-defence or protecting justice, others see it as a path that only deepens conflict and perpetuates a cycle of violence. Lilian Alweiss, an expert of Kantian philosophy, will examine moral questions around conflict and peace.
Thursday, 6th March 2025 | Professor John Divers
On Truth and Its Importance
In a world flooded with competing narratives, does truth still hold value? And if so, what role does it play in shaping our beliefs and actions? John Divers, Professor of Moral Philosophy and an expert on the nature of possibility and necessity, will explore how truth shapes our understanding of the world and why it should continue to matter in modern life.
Thursday, 20th March 2025 | Dr Richard Teague
Wondering and Wonder: When Questions Matter More than Answers
Why are some questions valuable even when we can’t find their answers? In philosophy, unresolved questions often lead us to rethink our understanding of the unknown. Could these questions themselves spark a deeper sense of wonder and is this the ultimate value that they bring? Richard Teague’s research focuses curiosity and the role of questioning in rational thought.
Thursday, 3rd April 2025 | Dr Clare Moriarty
Living With Berkeley
George Berkeley, once celebrated at Trinity with a library in his name, has now become a figure of controversy. How should we deal with the legitimate wisdom produced by people with sinister personal histories? Clare Moriarty, whose research focuses on 18th-century philosophy and mathematics, will consider what we can learn from Berkeley’s ideas today, while still recognising his complex legacy.
Thursday, 17th April 2025 | Professor Vasilis Politis
Socrates and the Care for the Self
What does it mean to truly care for oneself? In Plato’s Apology, Socrates argued that the “unexamined life is not worth living,” but in a world of constant distractions, have we lost touch with this ideal? Is self-examination still essential to living well? Vasilis Politis, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Plato Centre, will explore Plato’s teachings on self-care and reflect on their relevance for our modern lives.