Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. -The nationally syndicated public radio show Philosophy Talk will return to Oregon State University on Wednesday, April 13, where it will be taped in front of a live participatory audience.

The event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in LaSells Stewart Center's Austin Auditorium, is free and open to the public. The center is located at 26th Street and Western Boulevard in Corvallis.

Philosophy Talk hosts Ken Taylor and John Perry, both of Stanford University, will discuss the topic, "Latin-American Philosophy." Their guest for the hour-long program is Joseph Orosco, associate professor at OSU and director of the university's Peace Studies program.

Orosco will look at what defines Latin American philosophy and how the world view of Latin American thinkers including Jose Vasconcelos and Enrique Dussel were influenced by the regions they lived and worked in. He also will discuss Latin American thought and its influence on United States culture, society and politics.

"Since the turn of the 20th century, a lot of Latin American thought has focused on trying to explain the nature of U.S society," Orosco said. "As close neighbors to the United States, some Latin American philosophers want to develop an alternative way of life to what many consider a materialistic and selfish society.

"Studying Latin American thought can be interesting for Americans because it can provide an outsider's view to the United State's role in the world in a way that might not be entirely obvious to us," he added.

William Uzgalis, a professor in the Department of Philosophy, said this is the second time Philosophy Talk has come to OSU, after a successful taping in 2009 with environmental philosopher Kathleen Dean Moore that drew an overflow audience to LaSells. Uzgalis also recently appeared on the program to discuss philosopher John Locke.

"Philosophy Talk is enormously popular in Corvallis and Oregon in general," Uzgalis said. "The atmosphere at these live shows is really wonderful and keeps the audience engaged and entertained."

Philosophy Talk airs on dozens of public radio stations internationally, including on the radio network of Oregon Public Broadcasting. It airs at 8 p.m. Thursdays in Oregon. Oregon is one of the program's largest markets behind its Bay Area home.

There will be two more Philosophy Talk programs as part of this "Oregon Trail" live tour. On Thursday, April 14, Philosophy Talk will broadcast live from the OPB studio at 8 p.m. with guest Tamara Metz. The topic will be "Should marriage be abolished?" On Friday, April 15 with guest Cora Diamond they will tape a program before a live audience with the topic, "Is nothing sacred anymore?"

For more information: http://www.philosophytalk.org/whatsNew.htm