2012 #UEA Philosophy PublicLecture Series:

PHILOSOPHY AND THE ECONOMIC CRISIS:

27 September: Prof. Nassim Taleb, author of The Black Swan – "What is the opposite of a 'fragile' system?: Comprehending the true origins of the financial crisis" [This will be AMAZING]

11 October: Panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Judith Mehta (ECO): Prof. Shaun Hargreaves-Heap (ECO), Dr. Alex Haxeltine (ENV) & Dr. Rupert Read (PHI) bringing different disciplinary perspectives to bear on "The current state of play of the Euro-crisis"

25 October: Prof. Catherine Rowett (PHI) – "Learning from Greece: thinking about austerity and monetary union in Pythagorean and Platonic politics"

8 November: Prof. Raymond Geuss, Cambridge – "The political philosophy underlying our financial and economic system"

22 November: Prof. Shaun Hargreaves-Heap vs Prof. Bob Sugden in debate over "The rationality of 'rational choice theory' and of contemporary economics"

6 December: Dr. Davide Rizza (PHI) – "What money can do for you: Insights from the philosophy of money"

All lectures held in Lecture Theatre 2 at 6.30 pm.
Admission Free - Everyone Welcome.

Philosophy has always gained strength from its engagement with the world around us, and in turn may help us to understand this world in which we live. In this series of lectures, philosophers and philosophically-minded scholars from other disciplines analyse the financial and economic crisis that has overtaken western economies in the last five years. How does it relate to our political and social philosophies? What does it mean for our ideas of Europe? Can philosophy contribute to our understanding or even point out directions we could follow to help get us out of this crisis? Will the crisis be resolved by a return to 'business as usual' - or is a whole new philosophy of economics or indeed of life on the point of emerging?

Series organised by Rupert Read and Jerry Goodenough, PHI, UEA.

New rail links from Oxford and Aylesbury to MK and Bedford finally approved by the government

On Monday we had the fantastic news that the Western Section of the Oxford – Cambridge railway, from Oxford and Aylesbury to Milton Keynes and Bedford, has been approved by the UK government. The line will be electrified and is expected to open in 2017. [If you would like to read the details in the government documents, they are on the internet here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/hlos-2012/ ]

This campaign has been successful through the support of many over a period of many years, including Eastern Region Green Party.

Of course, the campaign continues for the Central Section from Bedford to Cambridge, and for the connection and upgrade of the Eastern Section from Cambridge into East Anglia. . .

Now #Damascus shells #Lebanon!

A new low for #Assad: #Syria is now shelling Lebanon...:

http://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/39860/syrian-artillery-strikes-north-lebanon-three-kille

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/07/world/meast/lebanon-syria-attack/

http://www.yalibnan.com/2012/07/07/one-lebanese-killed-5-injured-by-syrian-shelling/

It is time for Hizbollah and anyone who fancies themselves a Lebanese patriot to decide whether this criminal regime in Damascus is tolerable, let alone worthy of support, for a moment more...

Climate talk to launch ENV-HUM Masters, our new course here at UEA

'Climate Is Culture'
David Buckland, Director of Cape Farewell
5.30pm, Thursday 20 September, 2012
Elizabeth Fry Building, Room 01.05, UEA
Our scientists have done a brilliant job to make us aware of the seriousness of the climate challenge, but the cause of climate change belongs to how our lifestyles have evolved over the past 200 years. Climate change is about culture, our values, our economies and our consuming lifestyles. We need a cultural shift to begin to address the seriousness of the threat. The Cape Farewell project has over the past 12 years involved some of our best creative minds to create a different language of engagement and begin to vision what a sustainable future might look like. During this presentation, David Buckland will show films and artworks from the international artists and present just why we need a cultural shift and how this is a positive and exciting opportunity. David Buckland is an artist, writer, curator and film director who created and now directs the international Cape Farewell programme. He has led seven expeditions into the high arctic, working with oceanographers, climate scientists, artists, musicians, writers and film makers. He has curated five international exhibitions and Buckland's artworks are included in permanent collections in London, Paris and New York.
All are welcome!

Barclay's should be SHUT DOWN and/or nationalised:

E-petition calling on government to withdraw Barclays banking licence. Sign here, AS i'VE ALREADY DONE: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/35446