If you are in or around Newcastle upon Tyne today, please swing by the beautiful Lit and Phil library this evening for a talk on “Being a Misanthrope” by Ian James Kidd, an old friend of ours at The Philosopher and someone who always puts on a great show!
Misanthropy – the moral condemnation of humankind – is very topical these days. There are many inspirations for a sense of the collective awfulness of humankind, from the failures to act on the global environmental crisis to the rise of far-right ideologies to the avoidable mass suffering of billions of humans and animals. But philosophers rarely talk about misanthropy as a doctrine. When they do, it is usually narrowly defined as a hatred of human beings or coupled to extreme proposals. In this event, Ian James Kidd will offer an overview of philosophical misanthropy, including his own definition (“the systematic condemnation of the moral character of humankind as it has come to be”), will address some common misconceptions, and will clarify how – and why – one may wish to be a misanthrope.
When: 6.30pm to 8.30pm (doors from 6.15pm)
Where: 23 Lit and Phil, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne
Cost: £5/£3 concessions - payable by cash or card on the door