Inaugural Lecture - Timothy Chappell, Professor of Philosophy and Director, The Open University Ethics Centre
Wednesday 26 September 2007, 4pm, Berrill Lecture Theatre
The theme for this lecture is 'Forgiveness'.
Recent and less recent history alike show that forgiveness is a universal human value. Professor Chappell will look briefly at some recent research applying game theory to evolution that helps us to explain "from an external perspective" why this might be so. Can we also explain why forgiveness is a value, and what that value involves, "from an internal perspective"? The first obstacle to such an explanation is the notorious problem of free will and responsibility, which will be briefly considered. He will then consider a paradox about forgiveness and justice: where justice demands punishment, mustn’t forgiveness be unjust? He will resolve this paradox by explaining the purpose of punishment. This is the vindication of the victim and of the moral order. Sometimes this vindication can be achieved via forgiveness instead of (or as well as) via punishment; in those cases, forgiveness is at least permitted and sometimes required by justice.
Professor Timothy Chappell
Timothy Chappell is Professor of Philosophy at The Open University, and Director, The Open University Ethics Centre. He has also taught at a number of other universities in the UK and elsewhere including Oxford, Manchester, Edinburgh, UEA, and UBC. His main research interests are in ethics, metaethics, ancient philosophy, and epistemology; his books include Aristotle and Augustine on Freedom (Palgrave 1995), The Plato Reader (Edinburgh 1996), and Understanding Human Goods (Edinburgh 1998).
For further information on Professor Chappell and The Open University Ethics Centre visit: http://www.open.ac.uk/ethics-centre/
Tea/Coffee served in the Berrill Reception Area from 3.30pm. Buffet Reception afterwards in the Berrill Cafe Bar.
All are welcome to attend.
