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Forum for Philosophy

November 21st, 2016

Does the Universe Have a Purpose?

0 comments | 1 shares

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Forum for Philosophy

November 21st, 2016

Does the Universe Have a Purpose?

0 comments | 1 shares

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Beverley Clack/ John Cottingham/ Tim Mulgan

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6.30-8pm, Monday 21 November 2016
Wolfson Theatre, LSE

Speakers
Beverley Clack, Professor of Philosophy of Religion, Oxford Brookes University
John Cottingham, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Reading
Tim Mulgan, Professor of Moral and Political Philosophy, University of St Andrews and Professor of Philosophy, University of Auckland

Chair
Peter Dennis, Fellow, Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, LSE and Forum for European Philosophy Fellow

The traditional answer to this question is that God has a plan for the universe and we are part of it. Almost as traditionally, atheists have countered that the universe has no purpose since a benevolent God does not exist. But what if the purpose of the universe does not involve us—or God—at all? Tim Mulgan explores this possibility in his recent book Purpose in the Universe (Oxford University Press, 2015). He joins a panel of metaphysicians and philosophers of religion to debate his view.

Image credit: Greg Goebel, ‘Paley’s watch

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Forum for Philosophy

Science, politics, and culture from a philosophical point of view

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