Department of Philosophy Philosophers' Jam
Philosophers' Jam Dialogue Series
Provocateurs wanted
Do you enjoy thinking about what others say as much as they enjoy arguing their own views?
The Langara College Department of Philosophy invites you to attend the Philosophers' Jam, a forum for the expression of provocative ideas. This dialogue series is intended for people who want to discuss ideas but whose busy lives prevent them from signing up for a credit course.
Philosophers' Jams are free and open to all Langara faculty, staff, and students, as well as the general public. Bring a friend or colleague and see you at the next Jam session!
About the Sessions
Each Philosophers' Jam includes a short presentation by the guest speaker followed by an open dialogue session. All sessions are moderated.
Cost: FREE
Contact
To learn more about an upcoming Philosophers' Jam, guest speaking opportunities, and sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Kent Schmor
Moderator, Philosophers' Jam
Email: kschmor [at] langara.ca (kschmor[at]langara[dot]ca )
Past Philosophers' Jams
2025
- March 3, 2025: Is AI Value-Neutral? | Guest Speaker: Dr. Melinda Hogan (Kwantlen)
2024
- April 5, 2024: From Ivory Towers to Public Squares: Post-Secondary Education's Role In Increasing Scientific Literacy | Guest Speaker: Dr. Johanne Penafiel (Langara)
- November 29, 2024: The Case for Trans Rights: Gender Dysphoria and Why Wanting Is Enough | Guest Speaker: Jasper Heaton (Langara)
2023
- February 8, 2023: Chatting with an AI, chatting with a human, what's the difference? | Guest Speaker: Marc Champagne (Kwantlen)
- November 23, 2023: Losing Privacy and Living the Sound Bite Life Guest Speaker | Chelsea Rosenthal (Simon Fraser University)
- November 23, 2023: Losing Privacy and Living the Sound Bite Life Guest Speaker | Chelsea Rosenthal (Simon Fraser University)
2022
- February 3, 2022: Explaining and Intervening in Epidemics | Guest Speaker: Jonathan Fuller (University of Pittsburgh)
- March 17, 2022:Free Speech on Campus | Guest Speaker: Sigal Ben-Porath (University of Pennsylvania)
- May 26, 2022: Bernard Suits and the Paradox of the Perfectly Played Game | Guest Speaker: Christopher C. Yorke (Langara College)
- November 30, 2022: Sad Love | Guest Speaker: Carrie Jenkins (University of British Columbia)
2021
- Sept 30, 2021: Social media algorithms and democratic political culture | Guest Speaker: Regina Rini (York University)
- December 3, 2021: Rethinking Vaccine Hesitancy | Guest Speaker: Maya Goldenberg (University of Guelph)
2018
- Jan 25, 2018: Why psychologists believe weird things | Guest Speaker: Dale Beyerstein
- Feb 22, 2018: Conspiracy theories and critical thinking | Guest Speaker: Richard Johns
- Apr 5, 2018: What’s the point of free speech? | Guest Speaker: Kent Schmor
- Apr 12, 2018: Fake news, the new media, and academic freedom | Andrew Irvine
- Sep 27, 2018: From the Inside: Private Experience within an Embodied Brain | Liam Dempsey
- Oct 25, 2018: How Stoicism Can Be Useful Today | Alex Boston
- Nov 25, 2018: Attention Rights | Sebastian Watzl
2017
- Jan 18, 2017: Navigating Life's Predicaments: Core Insights of Existentialism | Guest Speaker: Kurt Preinsperg
- Feb 15, 2017: Ultimate Responsibility and Self-Construction | Guest Speaker: Brian Garrett
- Mar 15, 2017: What Good is Play | Guest Speaker: John Russell
2016
- Jan 21, 2016: Perspectives on Terrorism | Guest Speaker: Indira Prahst
- Feb 4, 2016: Cross-Cultural Romance | Guest Speaker: Faizal Sahukhan
- March 17, 2016: Moral Excuses | Guest Speaker: Brian Garrett
- Sept 21, 2016: Technology and the Mind | Guest Speaker: Martin Godwyn
- Oct 20, 2016: Psychology, Philosophy and the Brain | Guest Speaker: Wayne Fenske
- Nov 10, 2016: Vaccination Compliance | Guest Speaker: Katharine Browne
2015
- Jan 15, 2015: Can ancient ideas make us happy? | Guest Speaker: Michael Griffin
- Feb 15, 2015: Tough Choices: Philosophy meets Medicine | Guest Speakers: Dale Beyerstein and Mary Kruger
- Mar 19, 2015: You may already be an Anarchist | Guest Speaker: Edrie Sobstyl
- Jun 17, 2015: Privacy and National Security | Guest Speakers: Micheal Vonn and Carmen Cheung
- Sept 24, 2015: Constructing "the economy" | Guest Speaker: Margaret Schabas
- Oct 8, 2015: Mandatory Voting | Guest Speaker: Murray Mollard
- Oct 21, 2015: Consumer Capitalism | Guest Speaker: Wayne Henry
- Nov 19, 2015: Collective Action and Rationality | Guest Speaker: Alister Browne
2014
- February 6, 2014: Are You Nuts? Of Course There's Such a Thing as Mental Illness | Guest Speaker: Dale Beyerstein
- March 13, 2014: How Sensitive is Your Funny Bone? | Guest Speaker: Assaulted Fish Sketch Comedy
- March 27, 2014: Aboriginal People and Justice: How Can It Be Achieved? | Guest Speaker: Larry Railton
- September 18, 2014: International Aid & Dependency | Guest Speaker: Sylvia Berryman
- October 16, 2014: The Metaphysics of Love | Guest Speakers: Jasper Heaton and Aida Rolge Mas
- Nov 20, 2014: Do Colleges Have Academic Freedom? | Guest Speaker: Lane Trotter
