Science lectures for the inquisitive and wondering
Bristol Skeptics Society is delighted to present Skeptics in the P̶u̶b̶… Theatre!
Skeptics in the Pub is a regular lecture series, hosting academics from the world of science and skepticism, to share their unique research and insights. The goal is for every talk to delight and inspire, and help us understand our complex world a little better.
February 2025
Speaker: Dr Kirsty Sedgman
Talk Title: On Being Unreasonable
We’re living in an age of division. From abortion rights to immigration, gun control to climate change, civil debate has gone out the window. Everywhere we look, bad behaviour seems to be getting worse. The social contract is breaking down. Why can’t we all be reasonable? The trouble is, what’s ‘reasonable’ to one person is outrageous to another. Drawing on examples from public transport to civil protest to the ‘reasonable man’ standard in law, Kirsty Sedgman explores the judgement mechanisms we use to draw lines between acceptable and unacceptable, appropriate and inappropriate, legal and illegal, good and bad. In a world where we all think we’re being reasonable, how can we figure out what’s right? And when do we need to give ourselves and others permission to break the rules in pursuit of positive social change?
Bio: As Doctor of Audiences at the University of Bristol, Dr Kirsty Sedgman has spent her career working out how people can live side by side in the same world yet come to understand it in such totally different ways. Kirsty speaks about her expertise in the media and around the world, and her latest book On Being Unreasonable (Faber & Faber) was a Guardian Best Ideas book of 2023.
Skepticism is the philosophy that we can understand the world better by using evidence and scientific methods. The skeptical community is committed to combating misinformation, and pursuing a better, more compassionate world, through scientific exploration and inquiry – and making some friends whilst doing it! 🔎❤️
Bristol Skeptics Society is a Bristol based non-profit education and advocacy organisation, dedicated to promoting science and critical thinking in Bristol, around the UK, and internationally. Founded in 2009, we have hosted hundreds of speakers over the years on a variety of skeptical and scientific topics, and supported local and national skeptical campaigns.
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