University of Bristol Philosophy Society

Welcome

Useful Contents

• Meet the committee
• Upcoming events
• Philosophy department annual boat trip
• Past events
• Useful and entertaining fax 'n' pix
• Picture of our football team
• Getting involved
• Cant articles
• Link to the Philosophy Department

What are we all about?

The Philosophy society is run by students and has members from all disciplines. Non-departmental members are encouraged as we are committed to the belief that philosophy is the perfect vehicle for discussion of all subjects from computing to music. We regularly meet to discuss ideas in an relaxed environment. Events include film discussions, lectures from department members and beyond on a variety of interesting subjects. If you are reading this page and have ever looked beyond the confines of the textbook of your particular academic discipline, then you are a natural for the philosophy society.

We hope that you come and see what we are all about if you happen to be in the Bristol area.

• Jackie
• Charlie
• Henry
• Stuart
• Roggs
• Mim
• Matthew

Philosophy society French visit, if your experience of France only extends to day trips, then this will not take it any further. We at Phil soc are considering the possibility of a post-exam visit to assess the intellectual heritage and ambience of Calais. Provisional costs are at 20 pounds a head but this could well be subject to change. If you are interested leave us a note in the departmental pigeon hole.

• Set sail on 12 June
• Provisions provided at a cost of 8 pounds
• Tickets and boarding passes from the philosophy department office

Thursday 6 February was surely the academic event of the year. The Philosophy society proudly presented an evening of trivia and trifles: The Big Quiz. Sport, geography, Norris McWhirter type records, culture, history, perhaps even a couple of philosophy questions.

The eventual, and I might add, extremely lucky winners were the second year team. Unfortunately, their name escapes me at the moment, so their glory will be somewhat subdued. Truly a battle of the heavyweights that will be discussed for many years to come.

For those who attended the "Are memes a meaningless metaphor" lecture by Susan Blackmore a few weeks ago further information can be found on the topic. She was kind enough to give us copies of two papers entitled "Memes, mind and selves" and "Waking form the meme dream". Copies can be found in the philosophy society pigeon hole. Please return them after use.

Philosophy Football

We have met with mixed results recently under the dubious name of ONE LOVE:

• 1Love 3 Total Football 9
• 1Love 1 Christian Union 8
• 1Love 1 Redland Rovers 2
• 1Love 0 Biochemistry 3 (cup tie)
• 1Love 5 Inter 7
• 1Love 1 Sporting Lesbians 7
• 1Love 0 The Pants 3

Interview with Jessica Brown

Jessica was an undergraduate at Oxford University and also taught there for a while before recently joining the teaching staff at Bristol.

• MB: Why did you come to Bristol? Hard cash?
• JB: Yes, basically hard cash. I mean it's a job and it has tied up quite well because my partner is down in Exeter, so it has brought all the bits of my life together.
• MB: Is it difficult to find teaching positions in philosophy at the moment?
• JB: Yes, although it was much worse in the 80's when departments were closing and lots of really good people could not find jobs at all. It is still hard to get jobs because departments only want people who have a string of publications as long as your arm, which not many graduates have initially. However, what is quite unusual in this department, is that every member of staff has a permanent contract and everyone is on a full-time basis.
• MB: What would you say are the merits of this department?
• JB: It is a good department in terms of research, where we get a 4 rating, and it is a friendly department to work in. I would also like to think that the students get a lot of contact with the members of the department.
• MB: It seems as if research is important at Bristol, does this mean that the time you have available for students is decreased?
• JB: At Oxford there is more emphasis on teaching, since students have a greater work load, which leaves very little time for research. Bristol has a different system in that we do not want to spend all our time teaching.
• MB: On a less serious note, what is the most inane comment you have heard from a student?
• JB: That's a tough question. One pretty inane comment I received was from a student questionnaire we give at the end of a lecture course. Their suggestion on how the course could be improved was by changing the time of the lecture, since a lecture a 3pm really ruined the whole afternoon.
• MB: Have you given any classic excuses as a student? Or where you far too virtuous?
• JB: I'm afraid I was pretty virtuous as an undergraduate.
• MB: Have you heard any great excuses?
• JB: One of the loveliest circulating the department at the moment is this: One of the first year students asked to have one of their exams rescheduled. The reason they gave was that there was a dinner party on the night before, and they really did not want to do an exam the day after. I thought that was pretty poor.
• MB: Do you have a favourite philosopher? One person you might respect academically and also who would you describe as the most dishiest?
• JB: I find it hard to point to one philosopher I admire above all others, for lots of people have made very good contributions. And either the feminist or the serious intellectual in me thinks that one shouldn't be asking who's the dishiest philosopher.
• MB: What are your hobbies?
• JB: Well, I go hill-walking quite a lot, particularly at the moment down in Dartmoor because it is quite accessible, and I plan to go to Wales in the near future. I also sing in the choir and play the violin. I spend a lot of my time and money on fine wine and food.
• MB: What do you think of the department's non-smoking policy?
• JB: Because it is a public area I think it is fair enough, why should non-smokers suffer secondary smoke ill-effects? (Answers in no more than 3000 words to be sent to Jessica Brown)
• MB: Students are often bewildered by philosophy, why would you recommend philosophy to someone?
• JB: The reason I do philosophy is because I enjoy it, but I also think there are a lot of good reasons why someone should do philosophy. When it is taught at its best it teaches you to pick up arguments, deal with them, and criticise them effectively. I think that these skills are an important factor in any decision making, whether it is within a business, or the Civil Service, or a law firm. The ability to assess whether there are good grounds for doing something is vital and philosophy teaches you these skills.

Written by Stuart Budd and Matthew Batters.(Two very eligible and highly employable soon-to-be philosophy graduates. Big business take note, contact Matt for further details and contract signing.)