“There’s no arguing about art” is manifestly false. Art is one of the best things to argue about. The question is why. In this public philosophy debate, Nick Riggle (University of San Diego), Nat Hansen (University of Reading), and Zed Adams (The New School) will face off on the question of why arguing about art matters. At stake are two very different conceptions of public life: a Millian liberal vision which encourages the appreciation of difference and an Emersonian perfectionist vision which aims to converge on a shared conception of the good.
Nick Riggle
Associate Professor of Philosophy
University of San Diego
Nick Riggle is a wannabe chef, a dad, a former professional rollerblader, and a Californian born, raised, and residing philosopher who has published work on style, aesthetic discourse, street art, beauty, and other topics in aesthetics and the philosophy of art.
Nat Hansen
Associate Professor of Philosophy
University of Reading
Nat Hansen is a philosopher who has written about color language, the experimental investigation of meaning, and new wave ordinary language philosophy. He thinks that The Living Daylights is the best James Bond movie.
Zed Adams
Associate Professor of Philosophy
The New School
Zed Adams has the most audio cables of any philosopher he knows. He has written on the philosophy of mind, art, and technology. The Living Daylights is not his favorite Bond film.