Dear all,

It’s very late notice but you are all cordially invited to a talk by Miriam McCormick (Richmond), this Monday, May 9, 3.30–5pm in Forumzaal 4 in the VU Main Building (De Boelelaan 1105, Amsterdam).

Engaging with Fringe Beliefs: Why, When, and How

In this talk, I argue that in many cases, there are good reasons to engage with people who hold fringe beliefs such as debunked conspiracy theories. I (1) discuss reasons for engaging with fringe beliefs; (2) discuss the conditions that need to be met for engagement to be worthwhile; (3) consider the question of how to engage with such beliefs, and defend what Jeremy Fantl has called “closed-minded engagement “and (4) address worries that such closed-minded engagement involves problematic deception or manipulation. Thinking about how we engage with irrational emotions offers a way of responding to these concerns.
Reflection on engagement with fringe beliefs has wider implications for two distinct philosophical discussions. First, it can help illuminate the nature of beliefs, lending support to the view that not all states which are deeply resistant to evidence thereby fail to be beliefs. Second, an implication of the view I put forth is that it need not constitute a lack of respect to adopt what Peter Strawson called “the objective stance” in relationships.

Dr. Miriam Schleifer McCormick is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Richmond whose central research interests focus on the nature and norms of belief. This interest has also led her to think and write about reasons, agency, hope, imagination, and emotions.

A Zoom link for online attendance is available upon request.

All best, also on behalf of Rik Peels,

Jeroen de Ridder

Contact info: g.j.de.ridder@vu.nl