Purdue to celebrate World Philosophy Day

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The community is invited to learn more about philosophy at a public conference for World Philosophy Day on Thursday (Nov. 16).

World Philosophy Day is 3-7 p.m. at the West Lafayette Public Library, 208 W. Columbia St., West Lafayette. The conference, which is free and open to the public, will feature Purdue professors, community members, and community organizations, will address a number of topics affecting the community and world, as well as discussing the condition of philosophy in the public realm. Panels and presentations will cover such topics as “Women in Philosophy” and “STEM and Philosophy.” A list of speakers and community groups is available online.

World Philosophy Day was established by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to celebrate that “philosophy is a discipline that encourages critical and independent thought and is capable of working towards a better understanding of the world and promoting tolerance and peace.” It is held the third Thursday of November each year with simultaneous events occurring all around the world.

The Purdue World Philosophy Day is organized by Michael Oxenrider, a community member, and Reyes Espinoza, a doctoral candidate in philosophy at Purdue, with sponsorship from Purdue’s Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts Program and the Department of Philosophy. 

Purdue News Service contact: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu 

Sources: Reyes Espinoza, reyes.espinoza.zapata@gmail.com 

Michael Oxenrider, m.oxenrider@gmail.com