Surviving Turbulent Times – how philosophy can help us navigate chaos

Have you ever felt bombarded by the modern world? Between climate change and AI, it can feel a little overwhelming!

On 28th November, The Open University in Scotland would like to offer you an evening of respite; a chance to join us to consider these problems and how we might manage them. We’ll be welcoming philosophers Professor Sophie-Grace Chappell (The Open University), Dr Costas Athanasopoulos (The Open University) and DrTina Röck (University of Dundee) to Steeple Church for an evening of discussion on how philosophy can help us find meaning in the modern world.

The evening will consist of three talks from our speakers:

Professor Sophie Grace Chappell will examine how and why human beings are at their best when they devote their powers to problem-solving, intellectual exploration, and learning. Her work will explore how and why humans are never happier nor more usefully occupied than when learning.

With DrTina Röck, we'll explore attention as a practice, as a way of being present in a world built to distract us. Drawing on Buddhism, process philosophy and phenomenology, we'll ask what is lost when attention becomes a commodity, and what might be recovered by learning to attend differently.

Dr Costas Athanasopoulos will explore a critical question: as AI takes on more tasks traditionally performed by people, what happens to our capacity for judgement, ethical reflection, and personal responsibility? Drawing on key philosophical perspectives, we will consider the moral challenges posed by AI and examine how these ideas can help us navigate an increasingly automated world

Arrival instructions will be emailed to guests prior to the event.

The Open University in Scotland is proud to present this event, reflecting its commitment to accessible, high-quality educational experiences for all.