Professor James will explore how the work of 17th century Dutch-born philosopher Baruch Spinoza can help us to examine questions of truth in our own time.

The Upton Lecture is named after Charles Barnes Upton, Professor of Philosophy at the College between 1875-1903. The lecture is held annually and alternates between philosophical and religious themes. This year’s lecture has been made possible by the generous support of The Sekyra Foundation.

Artificial intelligence is already revolutionising our everyday lives, with the impact of AI only set to increase as the technology advances.

But what does this mean for society in general? Will robots take our jobs? Will humanity lose control to some form of superintelligence, or is the existential threat of AI being overhyped?

Join a panel of Oxford experts in AI ethics and application as they discuss the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence.


Speakers:

A hybrid event with world-leading climate scientist Dr Friederike Otto. She will be discussing why the world's attention needs to refocus on climate change. Dr Otto will be in conversation with our Director of Journalist Programmes, Mitali Mukherjee, and we will also include expert comments from other speakers plus an audience Q&A.

Authoritarianism is on the rise globally, with more than twice as many countries experiencing democratic decline as democratic enhancement in recent years. This has been occurring simultaneously with unprecedented rates of urbanization in many parts of the world, raising questions about the role of cities - often considered the focal points of democratic deepening - in this authoritarian turn.

A large, robust and ever growing body of evidence concludes that if we are to achieve our net zero climate commitments and address our many SDG goals - from zero hunger, to good health and wellbeing, to responsible consumption and production - then diets will need to change.

This panel explores the situation of minorities in the Balkans through the discussion of the Alevis and Bektashis. Comprising a ‘double minority,’ Alevis and Bektashis, are commonly mis-categorised or made invisible through their articulation as part of the Muslim minority communities. In recent years, partly in response to changing political circumstances, increasing conflict and sectarianism, Alevis and Bektashis have started to mobilise to break-out of their marginalised status, and are having to navigate their complex national contexts, transnational linkages, and geopolitical pressures.