The Philosophy Department hosted a panel discussion on the importance of play and games in people’s lives, part of the King’s Arts & Humanities Festival.

The full video recording of the discussion can now be watched on YouTube.

Synopsis:

Sports and games play a central role in many people’s lives. But what exactly is their place in the scheme of things? Are they a species of play, a way of taking time off from meeting the necessities of life? Or are they more important, expressing human values that go beyond that? Join a panel of philosophers, political theorists and sports lovers to discuss whether it is, ultimately, only a game.

Speakers:

Sacha Golob is a Lecturer in Philosophy. From 2009 to 2012 he was a Junior Research Fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge. He has published extensively on modern European Philosophy.

John Tasioulas is a Professor in the Dickson Poon School of Law. His research focuses on the philosophy of law. His forthcoming monograph is called Human Rights: From Morality to Law.

David Papineau is a Professor of Philosophy of Science. He was President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Science for 1993-5, of the Mind Association for 2009-10, and of the Aristotelian Society for 2013-4. He works on issues in metaphysics, philosophy of science, and the philosophy of mind and psychology.

Sarah Fine is a Lecturer in Philosophy. Before joining King’s, she was a Research Fellow at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Her forthcoming book is called Immigration and the Right to Exclude.

David Owens is a Professor of Philosophy. His most recent book Shaping the Normative Landscape focuses on blame, wronging and obligation and their involvement in forgiveness, friendship, promising and consent.