Walk through some of our past talks and performances. A full collection of our talks can be found on YouTube.
What is consciousness: Two answers
Dr Henry Taylor is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Birmingham. In his talk, Henry sketches out two of the dominant theories of consciousness in both philosophy and psychology: the global workspace theory and the higher-order thought theory.
Aayushi’s Opening Performance
We start and end our Main Events with some art or practice to help us leave the day behind and fully arrive in the space. Aayushi is a contemporary folk singer-songwriter from Birmingham, UK, with Indian heritage. She writes strikingly tender songs, delivering them with an intimacy that has often been described as the sonic equivalent of a warm hug.
Legacy: An Interview with Secretary Bunch of the Smithsonian Institution
Lonnie G. Bunch III is the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and the former founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. In this conversation on the topic of Legacy, he explores the ways in which an understanding of history is essential to creating a better future.
Can we make sense of monogamy?
Dr Natasha McKeever is a Lecturer in Applied Ethics at the IDEA Centre at the University of Leeds. Her research focuses mainly on the philosophy of sex and love, and she teaches courses in medical ethics and the ethics of loving relationships. In this conversation, Natasha explores monogamy.
What does it mean to be monogamous? What value does monogamy bring us?
And is it ok to restrict the people we love from things they desire?
Diary of a Poet’s Opening Performance
Wolverhampton-based, she goes by the name "Diary of a Poet". Each piece she writes is like an extract from her own personal diary, presented to us in poetic form. "Encouraged by seeing others express themselves using the art of words", she believes in the philosophy "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Because thoughts become words, words become actions."
Capitalism: A defence of an unfashionable idea
Dr Kristian Niemietz is the Editorial Director at the Institute of Economic Affairs. In his talk, Kristian shared the institute's perspective on how low taxes and small government can drive prosperity for all. The event also featured a talk on our Financial Well-being and capitalism's effect on it by Prof. Adele Atkinson.