Linfield Faculty Lecture Series

Title

Is Truth Dead? Fact You!

Streaming Media

Document Type

Video File

Duration

1 hour 17 minutes 7 seconds

Publication Date

9-20-2017

Disciplines

Ethics and Political Philosophy | Philosophy | Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education

Abstract

The democratic system in the U.S. is in disarray. Daily reports of hostile confrontation, fake news, alternative facts, ad hominem attacks, and increasing tribalism are distressing. But those divisions also indicate something good about our democratic system. We can, as yet, still voice our dissent, take collective public action, and engender grassroots activism without legitimate reprisal for those activities in themselves. But the public discourse is increasingly polarizing and unproductive. Is there a common ground upon which we can build discourse and seek a common public good? To what can we appeal for common ground? Do we appeal to truth or power? Philosophers have traditionally sought truth to legitimate power and parsed education as a search for truth. But, as Alasdair MacIntyre asked, "Whose truth? Which rationality?" In this talk, Dr. Kaarina Beam (assistant professor of philosophy at Linfield College) explores the nature of truth, the nature of truth-seeking education, and the nature of the philosophy underlying an educational search for truth in a pluralistic world.

Comments

Sponsored by the Linfield College Office of Academic Affairs.

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