Author visit to Science Fiction and Philosophy course
Academic Year:
2015 - 2016 (June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016)
Funding Requested:
$500.00
Project Dates:
-
Applicant(s):
Overview of the Project:
I propose to bring award-winning science fiction author Ted Chiang to Michigan, to discuss his story "Liking What You See: A Documentary" with my students in PHIL 154: Science Fiction and Philosophy. The story examines ethical issues surrounding discrimination on the basis of appearance, or "lookism," by imagining a future in which people can be treated to become blind to the traits we commonly perceive as attractive. A college campus is shaken by debates over whether to make this treatment mandatory for students. Chiang and I plan to lead a Q&A session in which students will examine and criticize his thoughts about lookism, its parallels with other forms of discrimination such as racism and sexism, and also the role of philosophy in his creative process while writing the story.