University of New England

Events

The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies hosts a rich program of conferences, lectures and colloquia.

Reception for Daniel C. Dennett (left), 2005 William D. Hamilton Memorial Lecturer

Recent events have included a presentation by philosopher Robert Almeder on reincarnation and a panel discussion on Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ." The department also hosted the 2003 conference of the Maine Philosophical Association.

• The New England Institute for Cognitive Science and Evolutionary Psychology (NEI) is hosted by the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. NEI's mission to to explore the role that cognitive science and evolutionary biology can play in helping us to understand human nature. NEI holds an annual William D. Hamilton Memorial Lecture, with speakers such as Robert Trivers, Richard D. Alexander, Steven Pinker and Daniel C. Dennett, and a varied program of lectures and conferences.
• Annual Crosley Lecture in Ethics has been given since 1984. The purpose of the lecture series is to bring distinguished scholars to the University of New England to address ethical issues in contemporary life. Crosley Lecturers have included Peter Singer, Holmes Rolson III, George J. Annas, Thomas H. Murray and others of comparable standing.

Ethics Essay Competition   

The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and the Center for Bioethics holds an annual ethics essay contest. A prize is awarded for the best essay written by a UNE undergraduate. The essay should analyze an ethical issue. The issue may be a personal moral dilemma, an ethical issue in the student’s proposed career or field of study, or a moral issue in society. 

The essay submitted must be an original, unpublished work, a minimum 8 pages and a maximum of 20 pages in length. It may also be used to satisfy a UNE course requirement, and in many cases that may why the paper was written. Students wishing to enter the essay contest should ask a faculty member to review their essay and then recommend and submit it on their behalf no later than April 12. The student’s name should appear only on the accompanying application form and nowhere in the manuscript. 

A panel of faculty who will read only the anonymous manuscripts will choose the prizewinner. The prizewinner will be invited to present the winning paper at the University of New England’s Annual Undergraduate Arts and Sciences Symposium in May and will receive a check for $250. Papers should be sent to the Administrative Assistant, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Marcil Hall, University Campus.  Please direct questions to Professor Ron Morrison Ext. 2108.