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Events

Social Events and Workshops

Welcome Back!

(Details TBA, tentatively will happen September 6)

Philosophy Reading Room

A weekly opportunity to read for class, research, or just for fun.  Tea and snacks provided by the Philosophy Department.

Each Wednesday, September 4 - December 4, 2-4pm
COB2 290 most weeks
COB2 390 on Sep 25, Oct 2, and Dec 4

Philosophy Speaker Series

A series of academic talks by guests and local faculty. Information from past talks are in the Events Archive and some recordings are available on our Youtube channel. All talks are on a Friday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in COB1 267, unless otherwise specified.

Kareem Khalifa (UCLA): "Understanding and Measurement: The Case of Segregation Indices"

September 13th

When scientists develop new ways of measuring a phenomenon, they frequently improve their understanding of that phenomenon. Despite this, little philosophical attention has been devoted to the intersection of understanding and the epistemology of measurement. In this paper, I argue that even the theories of understanding that (initially) appear among the least likely to afford insights into measurement—namely those that claim understanding requires explanation—illuminate how new measurement techniques improve understanding. Using the refinement of segregation indices in the late 1980s, I suggest four ways that measurement improves explanatory understanding. I conclude with further suggestions as to how the philosophical literatures on understanding and measurement might mutually benefit each other.

 

Mariana Alessandri (University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley) October 11th 

Kirsten Pickering (UC Berkeley) December 6th 

 

Jorge Mendoza Talk for Philosophy Speaker Series, 2016

Mailing List

To get updates by email, please visit: https://lists.ucmerced.edu/mailman/listinfo/philosophyevents

Examined Life 

Examined Life is an informal group that comes together on a weekly basis to brainstorm philosoophical questions or topics. We choose a question/topic from participant's suggestions in the following four categories:

  • What I have been thinking about,
  • What everyone is talking about,
  • What no one is talking about,
  • and A bold idea.

Our goal with Examined Life is to create a space where individuals from any major can come together to discuss philosophical topics of their choice.

For Fall 2024, Examined Life will meet Wednesdays from 1:45-2:45 in Science and Engineering 2: 102 - Activity Center

Contact Devyn Williams <dwilliams55@ucmerced.edu> for more information.

Minorities and Philosophy

Minorities and Philosophy at University of California Merced is an undergraduate led chapter of MAP International that is committed to examining and addressing issues of minority participation within academic philosophy. MAP at UC Merced facilitates conversations on issues in philosophy pertaining to gender, race, minorities, sexual orientation, class, and disability. If you would like to be added to the mailing list (this is separate from the philosophy program mailing list), register here. Contact Devyn Williams <dwilliams55@ucmerced.edu> for more information.

Minorities and Philosophy 2023

For Fall 2024, MAP is tentatively scheduled to meet Tuesdays from 5:45-6:45pm in Glacier (GLCR) 120.

Information for Visitors

All of our department events are open to students, faculty, and members of the public, both here at UC Merced and in our extended community.