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The Philosophy Café at Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store and the Center for Naturalism bring you the newish Philosophy Café at Harvard Book Store, a monthly gathering meant for an informal, relaxed philosophical discussion of topics of mutual interest to participants. No particular expertise is required, only a desire to explore philosophy and its real-world applications. The Philosophy Café will be held on the third Wednesday of each month, from 7:30-9:30 pm, in the Used Book department located on the lower level of Harvard Book Store. (Please note, the café will not meet during the months of July and August 2008, but will resume again in September.) Topic for May 21: "Behavioral Economics: How Rational Are We?" The relatively new science of behavioral economics, along with its sub-discipline neuroeconomics, suggests that we might not be classically rational creatures who reliably maximize our own well-being. We might in some cases act against what would seem to be our best interests, and we might not even know clearly what those interests are. Is there a way to get a rational grip on rationality itself, and if so, how might that change our priorities? Readings related to the topic can be found here: www.naturalism.org/philo_cafe.htm
Moderator Tom Clark is director of the nonprofit Center for Naturalism <http://www.centerfornaturalism.org/> and author of Encountering Naturalism: A Worldview and Its Uses <http://www.naturalism.org/publications.htm> . He maintains an extensive website on philosophical and applied naturalism, Naturalism.Org <http://www.naturalism.org> . As moderator of the Philosophy Café, Mr. Clark brings an engaging interest in philosophy and the ability to involve participants of varied backgrounds in animated, productive, and fair discussion.
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