Food & Talk
In the Fall, the annual Food & Talk event features dinner and philosophical discussion in an informal setting. The general format is this: after dinner, two of the philosophy faculty start things off by responding to a given question or topic of broad philosophical interest. Discussion ensues.
History of Food & Talk
The following is a list of previous Food & Talk topics.
“Who’s the Boss of You” (Fall 2025)
Dr. Goldhaber and Dr. Gardner
“The Exceptional Animal: What Makes Human Beings Unique?” (Fall 2024)
Dr. Robitzsch and Dr. Buckner
“What is Indoctrination?” (Fall 2023)
Dr. Witmer and Dr. Beddor
“Faking It or Making It: Is Artificial Intelligence Actually Intelligent?” (Fall 2022)
Dr. L. Grant and Dr. D. Grant
“Guess Who’s Back: The Philosophy of Time Travel” (Spring 2022)
Dr. Dorst and Dr. Gardner
“A Philosophical Forum on Racial Injustice” (2020)
Dr. Auxter and Dr. Pismenny
“Beauty and its Beasts: The Ethics of Appreciating Art by Immoral Artists” (2019)
“Social Media: Networking or Not Working?” (2018)
Dr. Borges
“Expertise: Who Should I Believe? Thinking for Yourself and Trusting Experts” (2017)
Dr. Duncan and Dr. Purves
“Democracy at Issue” (2016)
Dr. D’Amico and Dr. Palmer
“How Much Does Gender Matter?” (2015)
Dr. J. Rothschild
“Should College Teach Character?” (2014)
Dr. Ahlberg
“Who Does Philosophy? And Why Them? Questions of Diversity in the Discipline” (2013)
Dr. Westmoreland and Dr. Witmer
“How Can I Believe I’m Right When All These Other Smart People Disagree?” (2012)
Dr. Witmer
“Wicked Eating: Is Your Food Evil?” (2011)
Dr. Ahlberg
“Does Science Need Philosophy?” (2010)
Dr. Jubien and Dr. D’Amico
“What is the Good Life?” (2009)
Dr. Ludwig
“The Philosophical Life” (2008)
Dr. Palmer
“Thought Experiments & Intuition Pumps” (2007)
“Evil” (2006)
“Reason, Controversy, and Neutrality: The Role of Philosophy in a Liberal Education” (2005)
“Is Philosophy Still the Love of Wisdom?” (2004)
Dr. Palmer and Dr. Witmer
“Philosophy, War, and Terrorism” (2003)
“What’s So Special About Philosophy?” (2002)
“Is Religion Anything More than Institutionalized Superstition?” (2001)
Dr. Ludwig and Dr. Tresan
“Philosophy in Popular Culture and Academia” (2000)
“Does Philosophy Make Progress?” (1999)
“Is Life Worth Living?” (1998)
“What is the Value of Studying Philosophy” (1997)
“Continental and Analytic Philosophy” (1996)