RELACS: "Responsibility and Undesirable Beliefs"

Friday, September 16, 2022 The event started -558 days ago

3:30 PM 4:30 PM

Morton Hall

292

Speaker: Deborah Heikes
Title: Responsibility and Undesirable Beliefs
Abstract: Most people believe that we are responsible for our actions, but very rarely do we think
about whether we are responsible for our beliefs.  On first glance, the responsibility we have for our
beliefs seems quite different from the responsibility we have for our actions.  After all, I may be able to
choose whether I tell you the truth, but I hardly seem able to choose to believe it’s raining.  Many of our
beliefs seem forced upon us in a way that actions are not.  This is unproblematic when the belief has to
do with the weather, but what about more objectionable beliefs?  For example, racist or sexist
ones?  These beliefs are usually not freely chosen, at least not in the same way that we choose our
actions.  If the social structures we live in are inherently racist or sexist and if we inherit the vast
majority of our beliefs from the social structures around us, it would seem that we are not responsible
for some of our more objectionable beliefs.  How is it, then, that we can hold people responsible for
widely held undesirable beliefs?  And how are we to argue with those who hold such beliefs, especially
given that they may have never consciously formulated those beliefs?  Arguing with someone about
deeply held beliefs that are not of their choosing is a difficult proposition, and argument may not be the
most successful means of changing someone’s beliefs.  
 
In-Person or on Zoom HERE. 

Details

Category
Misc, Conference/Lecture
department
College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, Humanities Center, Philosophy
Audience
Public, Students, Faculty and Staff, Alumni

Contact

Dr. John Saunders This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Venue

Morton Hall

1310 Ben Graves DriveHuntsville, AL 35899

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