Abstract

In this light-hearted talk, philosopher Iain King will discuss how we might construct a system of ethics if we suddenly discovered, instead of being human, we were, in fact, another creature – such as woodland elves.

Iain King will explain how the ideas he developed as a Fellow of Wolfson College and in his book How to Make Good Decisions and Be Right All the Time may overcome vexing issues in meta-ethics, including the Frege-Geach Problem, the Fact-Value Gap, and the Open Question Argument. He will then show how a community of elves (or humans) may use the approach to develop a system of practical ethics.

No prior knowledge of philosophical concepts will be required for this talk, although the ability to think and/or laugh will be encouraged.

A summary of Iain King’s Quasi-Utilitarianism is available here

Bio

Iain King CBE FRSA has a background both as a philosopher, and in international affairs. His debut novel, Secrets of the Last Nazi, became Britain’s bestselling spy thriller in the summer of 2015.