Annual Philosophy Lecture 2024 The Democratic Brain: Body, Soul, and the Politics of Listening by Matt Qvortrup

Annual Philosophy Lecture 2024:  The Democratic Brain: Body, Soul, and the Politics of Listening | Professor Matt Qvortrup

Democracy is listening and learning; it is a system for gaining knowledge from others and for expanding the pool of practical wisdom for the ‘commonwealth’. Our brain is uniquely suited for this. But we are not fully using the unique powers we possess. Using the language of Plato, we succumb to thymos (blind rage) when we should be using nous (reason). Combining neuroscience and examples from the canon of Western philosophy (especially Plato and  Aristotle), the speaker will argue in the lecture that while we are hardwired to reason and learn from each other, we also have a darker side. This is Plato for fMRI scanners. The great philosophers always used the most up-to-date scientific knowledge to develop their ethical and metaphysical theories, drawing on state-of-the-art neuroscience and classical political philosophy. The lecture aims to show how we can re-engage in politics and overcome the polarisations of the culture wars.

The Speaker

Matt Qvortrup is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Coventry University. He  earned his doctorate in Politics at Brasenose College, University of Oxford in 2000.  His research  centers on the tension between political actors being driven by emotion and driven by rational argument and is particularly interested in the circumstances that sway them in either direction. An expert in referendums, European politics and comparative government, Professor Qvortrup has recently worked with brain-scientists to understand the neuroscience of political action. Professor Qvortrup was awarded the PSA Prize in 2013 for his research on political institutions and policy outputs. His book Angela Merkel: Europe's Most Influential Leader was translated into Russian, Chinese and Korean. During 2015, Matt was a Specialist Advisor to the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee. He has previously worked as member of President Obama’s Special Envoy Team in Africa (2009-2010). A frequent commentator for the BBC, Professor Qvortrup is also a regular contributor to Philosophy Now.