Amogh Sahu (Columbia University)

Overview: “Objectivity” is a common point of reference in intellectual culture. We use it as a criterion for good journalism, good scientific theory, good moral reasoning, and so on. However, there are reasonable questions about its value. Is objectivity achievable? Does this matter for its value? Does the pursuit of objectivity hamper important ethical goals? Does it prevent us from considering the interests of marginalized groups?

In this short course, we will consider these questions by engaging with some classic readings about the value of objectivity, from, among others, Elizabeth Anderson, Richard Rorty, Bernard Williams and Sandra Harding.

Group Leader: Amogh Sahu is a PhD candidate in Philosophy at Columbia University. He works on issues concerning the unity of theory and practice in ethics, meta-ethics, and social/political areas. He is currently writing a dissertation on the methodological foundations of critical theory, focused on a logical reconstruction of the work of Max Horkheimer.

Dates and Times: This group will run weekly from Wednesday July 5th until August 9th via Zoom. Sessions will last two hours from 9.30am PST/12.30pm Eastern/5.30pm UK/6.30pm CET.

Group Size/Entry Requirements: The size of the group will be limited to 15 people, including the group leader. No previous philosophy knowledge is required.

Cost: This group is free to attend in order to open it to anyone, albeit with an encouragement to offer a donation if you can afford to in order to cover administrative costs, pay the group leader for their time, and so on. The recommended donation is £50.