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Kadish Workshop in Law, Philosophy, and Political Theory: Edward J. Hall, Harvard University

Friday, September 6, 2024 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Edward J. Hall, Harvard University 

I work on a range of topics in metaphysics and epistemology that overlap with philosophy of science. (Which is to say: the best topics in metaphysics and epistemology.) Are there “fundamental” laws of nature? What are they – as distinct, say, from accidentally true generalizations, or the causal generalizations that seem to figure in the special sciences? Suppose it’s a truism that one of the central aims of scientific inquiry is to uncover the causal structure of our world (at many different time- and length-scales); what does “causal structure” need to mean, for this truism to be not merely true but illuminating? What are the varieties of probability, and can any of them be said to be properly “objective”? What would it take for one science to “reduce” to another? Must fundamental physics have an intelligible ontology – and if so, what does this constraint amount to? Is there any need for a conception of ‘metaphysical possibility’ that outstrips physical possibility? Can there be any basis for skepticism about unobservable structure that is not also, and equally, a basis for skepticism about unobserved structure? (And so on.) I firmly believe that philosophical discourse always goes better if the parties involved resolutely avoid any “burden-shifting” maneuvers, and that teaching always goes better if you bring cookies.
 

Paper Title & Abstract:

Collaborative Disagreement

My principal aim in this paper is to articulate a conception of a certain kind of disagreement – what I call “collaborative disagreement” – which I think should be (but, alas, isn’t) a staple part of every liberal arts college student’s diet. At the end of the paper, I will argue that collaborative disagreement about value can confer a substantial epistemic benefit on those who engage in it: this kind of disagreement is a superb training ground for learning how to combat a dangerous species of ignorance, one that can arise both at the level of the individual and at the level of the group. I’ll also suggest, but won’t argue for, an additional moral benefit: collaborative disagreement about value can facilitate a certain kind of moral growth. I think the best chance for creating the conditions needed to enjoy these benefits in a sustained way is within a college or university community.

About the Workshop:

A workshop for presenting and discussing work in progress in moral, political, and legal theory. The central aim is to provide an opportunity for students to engage with philosophers, political theorists, and legal scholars working on normative questions. Another aim is to bring together people from different disciplines who have strong normative interests or who speak to issues of potential interest to philosophers and political theorists.  

The theme for the Fall 2024 workshop is “Disagreement.”

This semester the workshop is co-taught by Joshua Cohen and Véronique Munoz-Dardé.

Details

Date:
Friday, September 6, 2024
Time:
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Event Categories:
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Website:
https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/kadish-center-for-morality-law-public-affairs/workshop-law-philosophy-political-theory/

Venue

141 Law Building

Organizer

Kadish Center for Morality, Law and Public Affairs
Email:
jrmcbride@law.berkeley.edu
Website:
View Organizer Website

These events are open only to UC Berkeley Law students, faculty, and staff, unless otherwise noted.

Events are wheelchair accessible. For disability-related accommodations, contact the organizer of the event. Advance notice is kindly requested..

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