Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience

Graduate students in Philosophy, working with Professor Fiona Macpherson, have have secured funding from a variety of sources to run the Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience conference ‘The Problems of Philosophy’, to take place from 29 - 30 June 2012.

Funding: £600 Mind Association; Analysis Trust £400

Next year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the publication of Bertrand Russell’s The Problems of Philosophy, and to celebrate this, The Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience is convening its yearly graduate conference on the themes found in the book. Envisioned by him as an introductory text, Russell also used the work to propose a number of novel theses which, in tandem with other pioneering material he was producing during the same period, went on to leave an indelible mark on the development of analytic philosophy. We will be seeking graduate submissions on contemporary work concerning any of the major themes in The Problems of Philosophy. We hope to promote fresh engagement with the problems discussed by Russell, and investigate the possibilities for useful dialogue between Russell’s approach to these issues and contemporary philosophy.

 The conference will take place over two days and will be open to all. We expect around 60 participants in total, including eight postgraduate speakers and two invited keynote speakers. As in previous years, it is expected that our speakers will come from departments of Philosophy throughout the UK and abroad. We hope to encourage dialogue between members of international, Scottish, and other UK departments. This conference will also provide a good opportunity to introduce many people to the vibrant and thriving culture that Glasgow, and the University of Glasgow offers. Although this is primarily a Philosophy conference, we aim to encourage attendance from other Schools and Colleges within the University.

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First published: 3 March 2011