UNESCO World Philosophy Day Celebrated on Campus

BRANDON, MB – The faculty members of the philosophy department at Brandon University will host an event to mark the annual UNESCO World Philosophy Day, on November 25.

“I think the reason UNESCO created this is because they were convinced that philosophy has a particularly useful capability of building dialogue and it trains people to resolve conflicts and overcome problems through dialogue by peaceful means rather than by resorting to hardened positions, stubbornness and ultimately, violence and unending dispute,” said Dr. Steven Robinson, the chair of the Philosophy department at Brandon University.

He added that this specific day impresses upon philosophers, philosophy students as well as the general populace the importance of skills and training that enable peaceful resolution to conflict.

“This is something to be promoted and understood better world-wide, even in countries where they don’t have a strong tradition of doing academic philosophy,” he said. “Philosophy is hard to define. It’s a broad field, with a very long history. What it’s always been is a set of procedures for thinking critically and thinking better, and learning how to assess people’s positions and understand what they are saying. Then, they can enter in genuine dialogue with the goal of overcoming the dispute, rather than winning the debate.”

Joining Dr. Robinson to speak on this occasion will be Dr. Deborah Poff, philosopher, Brandon University President and Vice-Chancelor, and Dr. Lorraine Mayer, philosopher and chair of Native Studies at BU.

The World Philosphy Day event will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m., on November 25, in the Louis Riel Room, in McMaster Hall. Admission is free and all are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communication Officer
Brandon University
P: (204) 727-9762
communications@brandonu.ca

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