'Philosophy Today' Public Lectures Series 2024 | Dr. Farbod Akhlaghi | 'Changing Partners: Should You Stop Your Beloved from Changing Who They Are?'

Is it wrong to stop your spouse from taking a job in a different country? Your child from going to university? Your sibling from getting married? Farbod Akhlaghi works on the ethics of transformative experience – experiences which change who we are, and which remain unknowable until we personally encounter them.

Transformative choices shape our lives. But when, if ever, is it ok to try to stop those we stand in special relationships to, like friends, family members, and romantic partners, from making such choices?

In this talk, Farbod will explore a particular ethical puzzle about romantic love and transformative choice. A romantic partner has a right to make transformative choices for themselves. But we also have reasons to try to stop those we love from changing in ways that risk our relationships with them. Farbod will argue that, sometimes, to respect such a right and to love well requires willingness to put ourselves - and our relationships – at great risk.

About the 'Philosophy Today' Series

Discover how philosophy shapes our modern world with ‘Philosophy Today’, our new public lecture series for 2024. Over six engaging lectures, Trinity College Dublin's distinguished philosophers will discuss their current research and reveal its practical applications.

Explore the connections between philosophical inquiry and everyday life as our speakers share their current work and offer a unique insight into its direct relevance to our day-to-day experiences.

Schedule

Starts Thursday 8 February 2024 and continues every second Thursday for six weeks.