[SydPhil] University of Sydney Philosophy Seminar Series: Alex Horne

[Ryan Cox]

Hi everyone,

This week’s speaker in the University of Sydney Philosophy Seminar Series is Alex Horne (Sydney).

The title of Alex’s talk is “The Self-improvement machine”. Here’s the abstract for the talk:

Suppose that in the not-too-distant future, scientists invented a self-improvement machine. The machine adds a chip into your brain which contains lots of new information and helps you conform more readily with the norms of epistemic and practical rationality. As a result of the procedure, many of your priorities, interests, values and tastes are quite different from what they were before entering the machine. Despite the obvious benefits, I am reluctant to step into the self-improvement machine. That is, I am reluctant to risk losing my present attachments, values, preferences and desires even where I know that losing them in the machine meant they were irrational. This sounds odd and yet, I suspect I am not alone in feeling a degree of disquiet at the prospect of undergoing such a procedure. My hunch is that exploring the source of this disquiet can help us better understand the relationships between agency, identity, morality and self-improvement of the more “organic” variety.

The talk will take place on Wednesday the 6th of September at 3:30 p.m. in the Philosophy Seminar Room (N494) in the Quadrangle and will be simulcast via Zoom: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/88699564848.

The talk will be followed by drinks and informal discussion at a nearby venue. All welcome!

Enquiries about the seminar series can be directed to ryan.cox at sydney.edu.au<mailto:ryan.cox at sydney.edu.au>

Ryan Cox
Associate Lecturer in Philosophy
Discipline of Philosophy
School of Humanities
University of Sydney
ryan.cox at sydney.edu.au<mailto:ryan.cox at sydney.edu.au>


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