Social Philosophy & Policy Center hosts conference

BOWLING GREEN, O.—When making difficult political and social policy decisions, it is often necessary to consider what impact they will have on the greatest number of people. Bowling Green State University's Social Philosophy and Policy Center will host a conference Nov. 1-3 to discuss “Aggregation in Moral and Political Philosophy.” All events will take place in 207 Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

Fifteen speakers from a variety of disciplines will address conflicts that arise between individual and group interests. Often when considering controversial issues in morality or public policy, it is necessary to abstract from particular individuals and think in terms of groups. The conference speakers will discuss how and under what circumstances this ought to be done and draw out the implications for a better understanding of cutting-edge political issues.   

Dr. Russell Hardin from the department of politics at New York University will be the keynote speaker. His address, “Utilitarian Aggregation,” will begin at 8 p.m. Nov. 1. Hardin, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, has written nine books and numerous articles, held Guggenheim and Earhart fellowships and lectured widely both here and abroad.

Other prominent speakers include Drs. Jan Narveson, philosophy, University of Waterloo; Frances Kamm, Littauer Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; Larry Temkin, philosophy, Rutgers University, and Elijah Millgram, E.E. Ericksen Professor of Philosophy, University of Utah.

For more information and a complete program, contact John Milliken, program manager, at 419-372-0105.

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(Posted October 26, 2007)