Events

Lecture: Amber Carpenter (Yale-NUS)

Friday, February 25, 2022
11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Zoom

Please register here in order to receive the Zoom link for the conference. The link will be sent immediately upon completion of the form, and again on the morning of February 25th.

Title: Ethics of Atomism

Abstract: Democritus’ atomism aims to respond to threats of Parmenidean monism. In so doing, it deploys a common epistemological distinction between what is known by the senses and what is known by the mind. This turns out to be a risky strategy, however, leading to inadvertent skepticism with only diffuse and contrary ethical implications. Vasubandhu’s more metaphysical atomism, by contrast, relies on a different principle to get to its results, and aims to address different concerns. It leaves us with a view that positively implies a concrete mode of practical engagement, and resources for a critical stance. Even if certain atoms end up proven incoherent, there is no danger of slipping into the morally fatal indifference of inadvertent skepticism.

Respondents: Dr. Allison Aitken (Columbia University) and Qian Cao (Columbia University)

Center for the Ancient Mediterranean
Columbia University
Department of Art History and Archaeology
  1200 Amsterdam Avenue
653-A Ext. Schermerhorn Hall, MC 5517
New York, NY 10027
 212-854-0200

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