Public lecture: What is wrong with slavery?

Wednesday, 09 October 2013

Professor David Owens

This year's public lecture series launches next week with a special event to mark Black History Month.

‘What is wrong with slavery?' is the first of many free talks for the new academic year, aimed at tackling big issues head on and sharing the University's ethos of learning and inquiry with members of the public.

Professor David Owens, one of Reading's leading philosophers and authors, will explore the morality of slavery - an institution which has existed throughout human history and still exists in some forms to this day - in a public lecture on Wednesday 16 October at 8pm, in the Palmer building (doors open at 7.15pm).

"Since civilisation began, most human societies have allowed one adult human being to own another," Professor Owens said.

"While we now think of slavery as morally abhorrent, the actual reasoning behind this position has become rather lost since the 19th century, when the issue was settled both in debating chambers and on the battlefield.

"So what is actually wrong with slavery - is it because slavery causes misery? Is it because it is based on racism? Or is it because claiming to own another person involves denying the dignity of that person? I'm looking forward to exploring these and other issues which still have resonance in today's society."

Professor Owens' recently published book ‘Shaping the Normative Landscape' investigates blame, wronging and obligation and their involvement in forgiveness, friendship, promising and consent. His current research project focuses on notions of ownership, on how we come to own parts of the world around us and on the limits of such ownership - particularly the wrongness of slavery.

The University's Public Lecture Series is free to attend, with no ticket required, although groups can reserve seats in advance from 0118 378 4313 or publiclectures@reading.ac.uk. For more information visit www.reading.ac.uk/publiclectures.

To join the debate via Twitter - or ask questions on the night - follow @UniofReading #UoRLectures