What does it mean to be human?
Is Artificial Intelligence beneficial?
Is a good person always a civil person?
Have we lost our souls?
Is there a meaning to life?
On Wednesday 3 July 2024, between 17:00 and 23:00, at Campus Hub, philosophers of all ages convened to discuss this and more in the presence of some likeminded individuals, some live music in the background, and some thrifting and artisan stands set up close-by.
The first of its kind in Malta, the vibrant Philosophy Summer Festival was organised by the Department of Philosophy at the University of Malta, with the help of the (SPS).
Head of Department, Prof. Claude Mangion said the main aim behind the festival, which enjoyed quite a sizeable audience, was to, in fact, open the philosophical debate to the general public, and encourage further discussion.
A first set of talks that took place between 19:00 and 20:00 included the participation of Mr Robert Farrugia, Mr Duncan Sant, Dr Vanessa Camilleri and , while a second set of talks between 21:00 and 22:00 saw Prof. Joe Friggieri, Prof. Jean-Paul de Lucca, Prof. Mark Sultana and Dr Clive Zammit鈥檚 philosophical arguments shine through. A third set of talks between 22:00 and 23:00 had Mr Francois Zammit, Prof. Christian Colombo and Dr Niki Young in a healthy debate with members of the audience.
Also notable throughout the festival was the presence of , the University鈥檚 Research Magazine, with its latest issue focusing on the concept of personal space.
