New Work on Pain and Suffering

This conference aims to assess the current state of play in the research on pain and suffering focused on their nature, role, value, and ethical dimensions. Our invited speakers will present their latest work, which will not only include recent discussions and debates in the philosophical literature, but also includes interdisciplinary research and discussions in other fields where pain and suffering are of central concern, such as in medicine and psychology. In recent decades this research has flourished and the conference aims to assess the current state of play: to assess new insights, see what has been learned, which current debates have emerged, and which research questions might most valuably be pursued next.

The first day (May 22) will focus on pain, and the following day (May 23) will focus on suffering, with five speakers each day. There will be a public lecture each day, from 16:00-17:30. Tickets for this event are separate from general admission.

This event will be held in-person at the University of Glasgow Philosophy Department, in 67 Oakfield Avenue in the Reid Room.

Many thanks to our funders - the Scots Philosophical Association and the Gifford Bequest!

Schedule:

Day 1

10.00-11.30 Welcome, Sabrina Coninx (VU Amsterdam): Pain and the construction of suffering

11.30-12.45 Emma Borg (University of London): Chronic pain, blame, and control

Lunch: 12.45-1.30

1.30-2.45 Laurenz Casser (University of Sheffield): The Mismeasure of Pain

2.45-4.00 Abby Tabor (University of the West of England, Bristol): Lifeworlds in pain: negotiating uncertainty and attunement

4.00-5.30 Brent Kious (University of Utah): Weighing suffering: How much should we care about distress? [Keynote: open to public]

Civic Reception: 6.30-7.30

Dinner: 8.00

Day 2

10.00-11.15 Declan Smithies (Ohio State University, visiting at Oxford University): A phenomenal-attitude theory of pleasure

11.15-12.30 David Bain (University of Glasgow): Unpleasantness and Suffering: desires upon desires

Lunch: 12.30-1.30

1.30- 2.45 Jennifer Corns (University of Glasgow): Suffering beyond experience

2.45-4.00 Michael Cholbi (University of Edinburgh): Suffering and the virtuousness of grief

4.00-5.30 Michael Brady (University of Glasgow): Is research into post-traumatic growth ethically problematic? [Keynote: open to public]

Reception following

Also check out other Business events in Glasgow, Conferences in Glasgow, Arts events in Glasgow.