The role of science and philosophy in an existential vacuum

9:00 - 10:15 a.m., Wednesday, September 26, 2018
PSU 313

In "The Meditations," Roman Emperor and Stoic Marcus Aurelius wrote, "The intelligence of the universe is social." Fast-forward nearly two millennia, and Viktor Frankl in "Man’s Search for Meaning" observed that, "The existential vacuum ... can be described as a private and personal form of nihilism; for nihilism can be defined as the contention that being has no meaning." People may or may not find meaning through belief systems and philosophy, but what do components of social interaction and community add to this quest? How does philosophy contribute? What role does science play in an existential vacuum?

Presenters