Life is an ambiguous journey defined by more than 7 billion perceptions. Each person has a unique take on the human condition, as well as vaguely defined concepts such as reality, purpose and knowledge. This semester, the 9
^th annual Philosophy Colloquium series looks to engage this diversity of understandings in order to promote a greater depth of appreciation for what it means to live on planet Earth.

“The best moments are when a great presentation meets a great discussion,” said Andrew Spear, the philosophy professor responsible for organizing the event. “The purpose of this series is to promote the discussion of philosophical ideas and ideals.”

The series has been running since 2005, though Spear only began coordinating for it when he arrived at GVSU in 2008. He’s been heavily involved in it ever since and has tried to connect students with the series through his position as the faculty advisor for the university’s philosophy club. Spear himself has given three talks since the series began, focusing mostly on the theory of knowledge and the philosophy of mind.

“I knew I’d be heavily involved with this upon arrival,” he said. “I’d done things like it during my graduate studies and I knew I wanted to continue to be involved.”

Topics in the past have covered a wide range of fields. From epistemology to aesthetics to the philosophy of language, both GVSU faculty and visiting professors have touched on a variety of topics. Each speaker is typically given free rein in choosing what idea it is that they wish to bring attention to.

“If you see an interesting topic, just come give it a shot,” Spear said. “We have students who regularly attend and gain tremendously from the experience.”

The next speaker will be GVSU philosophy professor Ronald Loeffler, who will give his talk on Oct. 30. All presentations are given in Mackinac Hall, room BLL 110, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“The highlight of the series is having famous thinkers come and speak,” Spear continued. “We try to bring in speakers from a range of both schools and fields of study.”

This year features talks from professors teaching at Northwestern and Notre Dame, as well as discussions led by GVSU faculty in the liberal studies and classics departments.

“If there is any kind of knowledge, philosophical knowledge is a kind,” Spear added.

According to Spear, it seems as if any curious student could find at least one topic they’re interested in. With subjects ranging from art to identity to culture to capitalism, there’s certainly no shortage of inquiry at GVSU.

For more information including a complete schedule of speakers, visit gvsu.edu/philosophy/colloquium-51.htm.

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