Choice Group Seminar: PhD Session with Lea Bourguignon and Somayeh Tohidi

Special PhD Session including two talks!

On the possibility of Act Contractualism
Speaker: Lea Bourguignon, PhD student at LSE Philosophy

Abstract: A well-known debate in the normative ethical literature is that between proponents of Act Consequentialism and Rule Consequentialism. Given the structural similarities between Rule Consequentialism and Scanlonian Contractualism, one might expect a similar debate to arise among contractualists. However, this is not the case. Some, following Scanlon, even argue that this question is “misconceived” – that there is something deeply mistaken about considering the possibility of an act-based form of contractualism. I challenge this claim. I argue that such a view exists, that it is not conceptually mistaken, that it is not extensionally equivalent to Scanlonian Contractualism, and that we have good reason to take it seriously.

You cannot rationally believe stereotypical statistical propositions
Speaker: Somayeh Tohidi, PhD student at LSE Philosophy

Abstract: Leitgeb (2017) proposes a theory for linking categorical beliefs and degrees of credence that does not face the lottery paradox. According to his theory, one can rationally believe a proposition, if and only if they can maintain a stable high credence towards it. I will use his theory to argue that, as laymen, we cannot rationally believe stereotypical statistical propositions, because they are always under the threat of being undermined by the report of a serious bias.

Please note that this is an in-person event. If you can’t attend but would like to follow the talk remotely, please contact Somayeh Tohidi.