Digest Week 3 Hilary Term 2026
Digest Week 4 Hilary Term 2026
HT26, Week 4 (8 February - 14 February)
If you have entries for the weekly Digest, please send information to admin@philosophy.ox.ac.uk by midday, Tuesday the week before the event.
Notices - other Philosophy events, including those taking place elsewhere in the university and beyond
The History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) Reading Group
The History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) Reading Group is a new joint venture of the Oxford Centre for the History of Science, Medicine and Technology and the Faculty of Philosophy.
Beginning in Hilary term 2026, we will meet fortnightly to discuss recent work in the broad field of HPS. Our plan is to spend a term working our way through a book, beginning in Hilary with our own Catherine Jackson's Molecular World: Making Modern Chemistry (MIT Press, 2023).
Meetings will take place Tuesday afternoons (4:30-5:30pm) on even weeks (2, 4, 6, 8), in the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.
Anyone is free to join, but attendance is limited to the capacity of our booked room. So, if you'd like to join the HPS Reading Group, please sign up here. The co-conveners (Alex Aylward (History, alexander.aylward@history.ox.ac.uk) & Sam Fletcher (Philosophy, sam.fletcher@merton.ox.ac.uk)) will write to attendees with further information at the beginning of Hilary term.
Boundaries of Humanity Discussion Group Series
Speakers: Professor John K. Davis (California State University, Fullerton)
Title: A Discussion on the Desirability of Life Extension
Date and time: Thursday 10th February, 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Venue: Online
Abstract: With the rapid development of AI and biotechnologies (including those relating to germline gene editing, brain-computer Interfaces, life extension, etc.) come vast powers to reshape ourselves and the natural world. As technological advances grant us new powers, so do they blur some boundaries between humans, animals, and machines, prodding us to ask the question: what does it mean to be human?
(Note: for this week, the particular topic under focus this week will be life extension technologies.)
Drawing upon readings in the humanities (including philosophy, theology, literature, etc.) and the sciences, this group will attempt to bridge the existential and empirical study of human identity - and within that context, ask if and how such reflections might help chart a path forward in relation to the right uses of new and potent technologies.
The reading group is open to students at all levels of study (including medical students), as well as faculty. We will meet for about 1 hour, twice per term.
Please contact Andrew Moeller if you are interested in joining: andrew.moeller@history.ox.ac.uk
Researching Humour: A Serious Roundtable
Speakers: Prof. Matt Bevis (Keble College, Oxford), Dr. Zoe Walker (University College London), Nicolas Garraud (Exeter College, Oxford)
Date and time: Wednesday 11 February 2026, 2:00pm - 3.30pm
Venue: Seminar Room 63, Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities
The TORCH Humour Network is hosting its official launch event! Join us at our interdisciplinary roundtable to discuss the research and study of humour. Our speakers all research humour across three different academic disciplines. They ask different questions, approach their work from different angles, and look for humour in different places. But they all share a commitment to understanding how humour works, why it matters, and what it can tell us about culture, society, and the human experience.
For more information visit: Researching Humour: A Serious Roundtable | TORCH | The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities
Jurisprudence Discussion Group
Title: Rules to Play, Win or Lose? Between Rules of Legal Games and Rules of Winning Them
Speaker: Maciej Dybowski, Weronika Dzięgielewska, Wojciech Rzepiński (Adam Mickiewicz University)
Date and time: Thursday 12th February, 12:30pm
Venue: Massey Room, Balliol College
Registration: We will provide lunch to those who register their attendance via this form - Registration Form: JDG meetings in Hilary 2026
