Symposium on Atheism: the Contemporary Debate

The Florida State University Program for the History and Philosophy of Science, the Friends of the FSU Libraries, the FSU Center for the Humanities and Society and the FSU Libraries will host a symposium titled “Atheism: The Contemporary Debate.” 

This event is a celebration and exploration of major themes addressed by “The Oxford Handbook to Atheism.” The book was edited by Stephen Bullivant, senior lecturer in theology and ethics, St. Mary’s University College, London, who will address the symposium, and Michael Ruse, Florida State’s Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor and director of the university’s Program for the History and Philosophy of Science, who will serve as the symposium’s master of ceremonies.

The symposium will take place:

FRIDAY, DEC. 6

9 A.M.-4:45 P.M.

STROZIER LIBRARY
SCHOLARS COMMONS READING ROOM

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.

The schedule, subject to change, is as follows:

8:45-9:15 a.m.: greetings and coffee

9:15-9:30 a.m.: introductions

9.30-10:25 a.m.: John Schneider, Professor Emeritus of Religion, Calvin College, “Aesthetic Goods, God, and Evolutionary Evils”

10:30-11:25 a.m.: Stephen Bullivant, Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics, St. Mary’s University College, Twickenham

11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Kimberly Blessing, Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, SUNY Buffalo State, “Theism, Atheism, and The Meaning of Life”

12:30-1:45 p.m.: lunch

1:45-2:30 p.m.: Jeffrey O’Connell, Ph.D. Student in Philosophy, FSU, “Nietzsche and Atheism”

2:35-3:10 p.m.: Kirk Essary, Ph.D. Student in Religion, FSU, “The Silence of God from Calvin to Cormac McCarthy”

3:10-3:30 p.m.: tea break

3:30-4:25 p.m.: John Kelsay, Professor of Ethics and Religion, FSU, “Atheism in the History of Religions”

For more information contact Sarah A. Buck Kachaluba at sbuckkachaluba@fsu.edu or (850) 645-2600.