On Sept. 18, Whitman’s philosophy department kicked off a series of lectures that will allow professors to share ongoing projects with interested students. The program, which began with two presentations last year, is scheduled to run four lectures from September through November, with four more in the works for spring semester.

“It will, indeed, be a regular program,” said Tom Davis, an associate professor of philosophy. “This is our attempt in philosophy to give everyone a chance to see where each of us is coming from in our current work.”

Among the most eye-catching of the upcoming lectures is “The Problem With Zombies,” led by Professor Rebecca Hanrahan. In an e-mail Professor Julia Davis said, “Philosophers think about imaginative constructs like zombies (and automatons), so this is entirely serious and not just for Halloween!” She said that while “The Problem With Zombies” will address a specific philosophical position and is not designed as a themed lecture, “we are trying to do stuff not covered in our normal courses.”

The push to integrate faculty and students is shared by many in the department. According to Tom Davis, philosophy professors traditionally met for a series of “faculty forums” once a semester to share their professional work with one another, but there was little opportunity for them to engage directly with the students. “The idea is to get the professors in the department to share their current professional work with the Whitman community as a whole,” he said.
“Students go to lectures given by visitors, which is obviously enriching, but too often there’s little chance for following things out,” said Julia Davis. “When a student goes to a philosophy department lecture there’s the hope of on-going conversation with both their peers and me.”
Julia Davis also pointed to the possibility of research collaborations and possible theses topics coming from the lecture series. “I’m hoping the lecture series will foster intellectual community.”

Students should note that the lectures are not just for philosophy majors or people taking a philosophy class. Everyone is encouraged to attend. The next presentation, “The Problem with Zombies,” will be held in Olin 157 at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 16, with coffee and discussion to follow in the Olin Faculty Lounge.