Sold Out!

Philosophy Conference 2016

Preshil's 3rd annual Philosophy Conference - The Art of Happiness in the Age of Consumption - will take place this Sunday 31 July at the State Library of Victoria in the Village Roadshow Theatrette. This event has been much anticipated by Melbourne educators, students and interested members of the public after the sell out success of our previous two conferences.

Program

8.45     ARRIVAL

9.00     WELCOME by Preshil's Dr Lenny Robinson-McCarthy

9.15 - 10.15     Michael Leunig

Presenting on:  …his own experience of happiness and joy as natural conditions of life which, like other precious aspects of nature, may be under pressure from human population increase and rampant consumerism. In a culture characterised by the high velocity of stimulus and experience, Michael will speculate as to whether humanity pays dearly for its addiction to excitement by overreaching its natural limitations and squandering its already fragile reserves of sanity.

10.30 - 11.30     Dr Caroline West

Presenting on:  In modern society success is often measured in terms of income and wealth. But does money really buy happiness? How much should we care about money in comparison with other goods? Drawing on philosophical and empirical research, this talk critically examines the complex and often surprising connections between money and happiness in order to challenge some popular (mis)conceptions about the relationship between material success and the good life.

11.30 - 11.45     SHORT BREAK

11.45 - 1.00     The Philosophy Club for Students / OR LUNCH BREAK

Some of the questions that will be investigated in The Philosophy Club’s small group enquiries include:  Is there anything wrong with being a consumer? Could our consumer choices be a way of expressing our identity? Is it insincere to buy things that send a signal to others about what matters to us? Can existential fulfilment be bought? (An original short film will serve as a stimulus for discussion.)

1.00 – 1.40     Antonia Case / OR LUNCH BREAK

Presenting on: The ideas behind the creation of print magazines New Philosopher and Womankind, which are philosophy, culture and art magazines for the general public. Covering topics such as consumerism, happiness, technology and education, the magazines seek answers to the important questions in life such as, What is a good and meaningful life? and What makes a life worth living?

1.45 - 3.00     Dr Samuel Alexander

Presenting on: Questions and issues raised in his recent documentary film, A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity.

3.00 - 3.30     AFTERNOON BREAK

3.30 -  4.30     Professor Kate Soper (via Skype from England)                               

Presenting on: The global economic system depends on continuous growth, which in turn depends on an ever-expanding human consumption. However, all the evidence suggests that expansion of this kind cannot hope to counter global warming and resource attrition; and in any case, does shopping really offer us more choice, or improve our wellbeing? Professor Soper’s talk will challenge the image of the ‘good life’ that advertisers are so keen to promote and open up a  different perspective on the quality of happiness and how to achieve it.

4.30   CLOSE

(To find out more about the presenters, visit our BlogSpot.)

Tickets

At this time there are no available seats for the event, however you are very welcome to sign up on the Waitlist by clicking trybooking here.