Rencontre philo

Why is it that, contemplating the same society, some see it as a society that, while perfectible, is on the right track and functioning well overall, while others see it as a patriarchal, racist and transphobic society plagued by injustice? "Because the former wear rose-colored glasses!" they sometimes reply. I would argue, however, that the problem lies more in the pessimistic bias of the latter. This bias is based on two fundamental errors, which we shall examine in detail. The first is to judge society by the yardstick of a utopian ideal, rather than by the progress achieved. The second is to extend the scope of negative concepts such as injustice, racism, offense or pathology.Speaker:Olivier Massin is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Neuchâtel, where he holds the Chair of General Philosophy. He has two dissertations to his credit, one on the objectivity of touch, the other on the nature of pleasure. His work is in the field of descriptive metaphysics. He is interested in the Brentanian school of philosophy and definitional questions such as: What is a force? What is a mixture? What is economic exchange? What is property? What is a mountain? What is touch? What is desire? What is value? What is pleasure? What is continuity? What is optimism? What is wealth? What is effort? What is solidity? What is a right? What is emotion? What is money? What is a fondue?

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