A karate demonstration of women fighting, defending and doing "kata" is one of the more unusual parts of a philosophy conference being held at The University of Queensland this week.
Some 200 people are attending the annual Australasian Association of Philosophy Conference, organised by UQ's Philosophy Department, which began on Sunday and continues through to Friday, July 7.
The karate demonstration is being held in association with a paper on Friday by PhD student and conference public relations officer Patricia Petersen at 3.10pm to 4.10pm.
Ms Petersen will discuss Feminism and Martial Arts. She argues that having a black belt in karate is compatible with being a power feminist and not a victim feminist. She says that black belt karate women would never feel offended by being wolf-whistled.
Keynote speakers at the conference this week have international reputations - Professor Claude Imbert, Professor Christine Korsgaard, Professor Hartry Field, Professor Philip Pettit and Professor Robert Brandom.
Christine Korsgaard, from Harvard University, will present a public lecture entitled What's wrong with lying? (Thursday 6 July 8am - 9.30am). Her presentation will be chaired by the Queensland Minister for Education, DeanWells MLA.
Philip Pettit, from the Australian National University, will speak on Australian Philosophy in the Twentieth Century (Thursday 6 July 9.30 am to 10.30 am).
Martin Wilkinson, University of Auckland, will discuss the issue of Parental Consent and the Use of Dead Children's Bodies. He argues that parental consent is overrated and rejects arguments for consent from dead children's interests, property rights, family autonomy, and religious freedom (Friday 3.10pm to 4.10pm).
For more information about these presentations or others, or the conference generally, please contact: Patricia Petersen, mobile number: 041 76 1 76 72
Enquiries can also be directed to communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au
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