2008 Woodie Awards
Ohio State University professor to speak today
By: Lalita Chemello
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Students who are interested in knowing why things exist may get some answers.
Benjamin D. Caplan, associate philosophy professor at Ohio State University, will discuss the idea of why things exist in the universe in his presentation from 2 to 3 p.m. today in Anspach 169.
Caplan wrote "The Way Things Were," which touches on the studies of metaphysics and ontology questioning the idea of things in existence.
"It's a good time for students to have questions answered," said Betty Lewis, philosophy and religion executive secretary. "It adds to their minds on the subject."
The philosophy and religion department sponsor presentations for students and faculty to give another point of view other then the textbook version. However, Caplan is the first professor outside of the Central Michigan University brought in to speak with students and faculty.
"We brought him in because he is young and doing some interesting work," said Robert Stecker, philosophy professor.
Stecker said the idea of existence and why things existence is a highly questioned topic and something that many students do not think about.
"There are certain things we take for granted," Steckler said. "For example, everyone uses numbers and they do so without knowing that they exist."
Caplan's presentation will be a discussion on the topics of metaphysics and existence, rather than a narrative. Students and faculty will have the chance to ask questions on the topic.
"We think about one present basis to reconcile these thoughts. The only things that actually exist are the things that currently exist," Stecker said. "We propose something and how it is."
The presentation is sponsored by the Philosophy Colloquium.
Benjamin D. Caplan, associate philosophy professor at Ohio State University, will discuss the idea of why things exist in the universe in his presentation from 2 to 3 p.m. today in Anspach 169.
Caplan wrote "The Way Things Were," which touches on the studies of metaphysics and ontology questioning the idea of things in existence.
"It's a good time for students to have questions answered," said Betty Lewis, philosophy and religion executive secretary. "It adds to their minds on the subject."
The philosophy and religion department sponsor presentations for students and faculty to give another point of view other then the textbook version. However, Caplan is the first professor outside of the Central Michigan University brought in to speak with students and faculty.
"We brought him in because he is young and doing some interesting work," said Robert Stecker, philosophy professor.
Stecker said the idea of existence and why things existence is a highly questioned topic and something that many students do not think about.
"There are certain things we take for granted," Steckler said. "For example, everyone uses numbers and they do so without knowing that they exist."
Caplan's presentation will be a discussion on the topics of metaphysics and existence, rather than a narrative. Students and faculty will have the chance to ask questions on the topic.
"We think about one present basis to reconcile these thoughts. The only things that actually exist are the things that currently exist," Stecker said. "We propose something and how it is."
The presentation is sponsored by the Philosophy Colloquium.
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