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Colloquium with Justin Weinberg on Thursday May 7

WeinbergJustin Weinberg, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of South Carolina, will speak on Thursday May 7 at 4:00 PM in Room 202 of the Ford Alumni Center. The title of Dr. Weinberg’s talk is “Wishing Some Things Were Different.”

Abstract: Jamie and Jordan fell in love in college years ago. For unrelated reasons, Jamie wishes he had attended a different school, which means he probably wouldn’t have met Jordan. Does Jamie value Jordan less for having this wish? Louis CK says that he loves his daughter, but wishes she never existed. If she never existed, he certainly couldn’t love her. Does Louis love his daughter less for having this wish? Many people wish that at least some things about their lives were different. In cases in which the fulfillment of such wishes would undermine their loving of people or their valuing of things, is their actual loving and valuing diminished in some way? Are they, in virtue of these wishes, worse partners or parents, worse people, living worse lives? The answer to both of these questions, perhaps surprisingly, is No. As it turns out, such wishes may be important elements of a good life.

Weinberg Poster

For more information, please contact Rocío Zambrana (zambrana@uoregon.edu).