Philosophy Dialogue Series examines 'Abuses of rhetoric'

By T.C. Sprencel
University News Service
September 22, 2010

The Philosophy Dialogue Series at Texas State University-San Marcos will examine uses and abuses of rhetoric as its discussion topic for the week of Sept. 27-Oct. 1. All events are held in Psychology 132, unless otherwise noted. Presentations and discussions for the week will focus on the following issues: 

Monday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.
Necessities and the Meaning of Life
Jean Kazez (Southern Methodist University, Philosophy)

Monday, Sept. 27, 2 p.m.
Brave New Animal: Advancing Ethics through Technology
Jean Kazez (Southern Methodist University, Philosophy)

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 12 p.m.
Rhetoric and Relativism
Sophists and Sages (Philosophy Dialogue class members)

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 12 p.m.
Gandhi and King on the Power of Truth
Linda Mackey (Philosophy)

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1 p.m.
The Challenges of Foreign Language Interpreting at the White House
Harry Obst, director of Language Services (retired), U.S. Department of State

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m.
The Feminine Ethos of Wilderness Recreation Advertising
Nichole McNiel (Sociology graduate student) and Deborah Harris (Sociology)

Thursday, Sept. 30, 12:30 p.m.
Rhetorical Strategies: Rational Persuasion or Immoral Manipulation?
Sophists and Sages

Friday, Oct. 1, 12:30 p.m.
Talk of the Times
Open Forum
Phi Sigma Tau, the Philosophy Honor Society

Co-sponsors of the Philosophy Dialogue Series include: American Democracy Project, College of Liberal Arts, Common Experience, Gina Weatherhead Dialogue Fund, the New York Times, National Endowment for the Humanities, Phi Sigma Tau, University Seminar, University Honors Program, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Vice President for Student Affairs.

For additional information please contact Beverly Pairett in the Department of Philosophy at (512) 245-2285, or via email: bp06@txstate.edu. A complete schedule of discussion topics and presentations can be found at www.txstate.edu/philosophy/dialogue-series/Dialogue-Schedule.html.