Just as the food we ought to consume is not necessarily the tastiest, so the art we ought to value is not necessarily that which pleases most. So what kind of art truly nourishes the soul? This talk will explore Tolstoy’s answer –that it is the kind of art in which the audience contracts the feelings of the artist like a contagion, thereby forming moral bonds between individuals and within communities.

Philosophy

Tolstoy’s Contagion Theory of Art

'The Problem of the Criterion: Is Knowledge too Hard or too Easy?' We acquire knowledge through methods such as perception and reasoning and, according to an intuitively plausible principle, acquiring knowledge through such a method requires us first to know that this method is reliable. But it has long been recognized that this seems to give rise to a vicious regress, making knowledge impossible. Rejecting the principle, on the other hand, seems to make knowledge too easy: we could come to know that a method is reliable by using that very method! So how might we solve this ancient puzzle? We acquire knowledge through methods such as perception and reasoning and, according to an intuitively plausible principle, acquiring knowledge through such a method requires us first to know that this method is reliable. But it has long been recognized that this seems to give rise to a vicious regress, making knowledge impossible. Rejecting the principle, on the other hand, seems to make knowledge too easy: we could come to know that a method is reliable by using that very method! So how might we solve this ancient puzzle?

Philosophy Café: 'The Problem of the Criterion: Is Knowledge too Hard or too Easy? Dr Conor McHugh

Motherhood is revered as a state of almost saintly self-sacrifice. According to the popular picture, a mother is willing to do anything for her child and always puts her child first and her own needs last. But real mothers often fail to live up to this ideal and are harshly criticised for this. So might the way we talk about motherhood involve philosophical mistakes? And are these mistakes harmful to mothers?

Philosophy café: Mistakes about Motherhood- Fiona Woolard

Dramas and other fictions that portray tragic events are often thought to be the most important and valuable artistic works. But ever since the age of Plato and Aristotle, when tragedy was invented, philosophers have wondered why, and even whether, they are a good thing. Do we enjoy the merciless representation of lives being wrecked? If so, how do we explain that? Do we enjoy it in spite of, or because of, the painfulness of the events? And if we do not enjoy it, what is the point of tragedy?

Philosophy café: On Tragedy - Chris Janaway.

Our highly successful Philosophy Café (run in conjunction with the John Hansard Gallery) is now entering its fifth year: the Café offers regular, informal lunchtime discussions that are free and accessible.

Philosophy Café - 'Why Be Rational?'

Philosophy at Southampton has an interdisciplinary approach informed by a broad range of research interests that includes: aesthetics, language and epistemology, ethics and philosophy of mind. This series introduces the Philosophy Café series of informal talks and enquiry on themes of choice and reason connected with the human situation. Thinking about studying philosophy? Watch our student experience video for insight into the diversity of the subject area and the learning culture at Humanities.

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Philosophy

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